Modeling how fibrous and bile duct cells interact in kids after liver transplant trouble
Official title: Modeling fibroblast-cholangiocyte interactions in chronic ductopenic rejection with primary human cholangiocyte organoids
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11353744 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in children who have liver transplants looks at how certain bile duct cells and immune cells interact to cause a common rejection problem so we can find new ways to protect the liver.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | May 19, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $243,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI199527-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11353744 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with liver transplants who develop chronic ductopenic rejection or are at risk for this condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without liver transplant complications may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project uses patient-derived bile duct organoids and immune cells to study why chronic ductopenic rejection happens in children. Researchers will map chromatin accessibility and gene activity in healthy and diseased liver tissue to identify key cell interactions. The goal is to uncover mechanisms, such as specific fibroblast populations, that drive ductal cell aging and fibrosis, which could point to new therapies. Findings from this work may guide future strategies to prevent graft loss and reduce the need for retransplantation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches to prevent or delay liver transplant failure in children.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have identified fibroblast and immune cell interactions in liver disease, with potential for translation to pediatric transplant settings; this project builds on those concepts using human tissue.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peters, Anna Louisa — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Peters, Anna Louisa
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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.