MMP7-Positive Liver Cells Driving Fibrosis in Biliary Atresia
Official title: MMP7+ Hepatic Stellate Cells as Drivers of Fibrosis in Biliary Atresia
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11438027 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study explores a specific liver cell type marked by MMP7 to understand why scarring progresses in biliary atresia and how it might be slowed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $155,832 |
| NIH project number | 1K08DK149188-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438027 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with biliary atresia or adults with advanced liver disease related to fibrosis who could contribute liver tissue samples or participate in related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without biliary atresia or with contraindications to liver tissue sampling may not benefit.
What this research studies
Biliary atresia is a serious liver condition in children that often leads to liver transplant. This project focuses on a special group of liver cells (MMP7+ hepatic stellate cells) that may drive fibrosis, the scarring that harms the liver. By analyzing liver tissue from patients and using mouse models, researchers will map where these cells are and how they behave. They will test whether removing MMP7 from these cells can change fibrosis and examine potential therapies. The goal is to uncover targets that could slow or prevent fibrosis after standard treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapies that slow liver fibrosis in biliary atresia, possibly reducing the need for transplant.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked MMP7 to fibrosis and identified diagnostic potential, but this project tests a disease-specific role of MMP7+ HSCs in BA progression.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hong, John — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Hong, John
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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.