Liver protein TMEM141 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Official title: Mechanisms Underlying the Pathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11257328 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether a liver protein called TMEM141 changes bile acid balance and the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with implications for people with NAFLD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2015 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $605,967 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK102619-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11257328 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are the patient group most likely to be affected by this research, although the current work is preclinical.
✕Less likely to help
People with liver disease caused mainly by alcohol, chronic viral hepatitis, or other unrelated conditions are less likely to benefit from findings that are specific to NAFLD.
What this research studies
Researchers will use genetically modified mice and laboratory experiments to change TMEM141 levels in the liver and watch how the animals develop fatty liver. They will measure bile acid metabolism, liver inflammation, and related signaling pathways. The team will also study how TMEM141 expression is controlled in the setting of NAFLD. Findings could point to biological pathways for future human treatments or tests.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets or biomarkers that lead to better treatments or diagnostics for people with NAFLD.
How similar studies have gone: Related approaches that target bile acid receptors such as FXR and TGR5 have protected against fatty liver in mice and shown promise in some clinical trials, so this builds on prior encouraging results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yanqiao — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yanqiao
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Role of fat droplets in liver fat and inflammatory signals in NAFLD
A study at Johns Hopkins will explore how fat droplets in the liver influence molecules that drive inflammation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults.
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Them1 Inhibitors to Help Treat Fatty Liver Disease
Aims to develop and test small molecule drugs that block Them1 to help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
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How the TET1 gene affects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the TET1 gene and DNA 'tagging' (methylation) play a role in adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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Hepatocellular Genetic Clues for Fatty Liver in Hispanic Adults
A large NIH grant helps researchers study why fatty liver develops in Hispanic adults and how genetics interact with lifestyle to affect risk.
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Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
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Glutamine and T cells in fatty liver disease
A study explores how liver glutamine levels affect inflammatory CD4+ T cells in fatty liver disease to find potential new ways to reduce liver inflammation.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.