Microbiome and Innate Immune Response in Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
Official title: Microbiome and Intestinal Innate Immune Response in Alcoholic Liver Disease
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11543368 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how gut bacteria and the body's first-line immune defenses contribute to liver damage from alcohol, with a focus on how a specific bacteria and its toxins affect disease severity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $427,933 |
| NIH project number | 4R37AA020703-16 |
| Project ID | NIH-11543368 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder or alcohol-related liver disease who may benefit from therapies addressing gut bacteria or intestinal immune pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without alcohol-related liver disease or those not affected by gut bacterial translocation are less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how chronic alcohol use changes the gut microbiome and intestinal barrier, leading to liver injury. It highlights Enterococcus faecalis and its toxin cytolysin as key players in worsening alcohol-related liver disease in animal models and links them to worse outcomes in patients. The work also looks at how changes in gut glycoproteins and fucosylation affect bacterial colonization and translocation to the liver, potentially revealing new intervention points. Findings could inform strategies to prevent bacterial-driven liver injury in people with alcohol use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new ways to prevent or reduce liver damage in people who misuse alcohol by targeting gut bacteria or intestinal immune interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in animal models and human observations links gut bacteria and bacterial toxins to liver injury, supporting potential translational impact, though human-directed therapies remain under development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schnabl, Bernd G. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Schnabl, Bernd G.
Related research
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Lipotoxicity and Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
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NNMT as a Target to Treat Alcoholic Liver Disease
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How gut fungi may drive alcohol-related liver damage
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-
Heat shock protein 90 and alcohol-related liver disease: how macrophages fuel inflammation
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-
Harmful gut bacteria linked to alcohol-related liver damage
This work looks at whether certain harmful gut bacteria make liver disease worse in people who drink heavily.
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.