Mechanisms of neutrophil NETs and their role in biliary fibrosis in biliary atresia
Official title: Mechanisms of neutrophil extracellular trap formation and contribution to biliary fibrosis in biliary atresia
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11329986 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how certain white blood cells and their networks contribute to scarring in the bile ducts of infants with biliary atresia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,065,496 |
| NIH project number | 4R01DK140072-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11329986 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants and young children diagnosed with biliary atresia or related biliary fibrosis may be eligible for future studies or related biomarker investigations.
✕Less likely to help
Children without biliary atresia or with non-inflammatory liver diseases are unlikely to benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project aims to uncover how neutrophil extracellular traps and the CXCL8-CXCR2 pathway drive fibrotic changes in the biliary tree of babies with biliary atresia. Researchers will use a mouse model of BA and analyses of human biospecimens to test whether NETs promote portal fibroblast and stellate cell activation leading to fibrosis. The team will examine biomarkers of injury and fibrosis to map the immunopathogenic process and identify potential targets for therapy. If successful, findings could guide the development of treatments to reduce fibrosis and delay or avoid liver transplantation in affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could lead to new therapies that lessen bile duct scarring and improve outcomes for infants with biliary atresia.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest neutrophil activity and NET formation are linked to worse outcomes in biliary atresia, supporting further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mack, Cara Lynn — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Mack, Cara Lynn
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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.