P2RY8 in liver blood vessel cells and B cells in autoimmune liver disease
Official title: The role of P2RY8 in B cell-endothelial crosstalk in primary biliary cholangitis
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11440250 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how a liver blood-vessel cell signal (P2RY8) might influence B cells and antibodies in primary biliary cholangitis, a liver autoimmune disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $168,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03TR006459-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11440250 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with primary biliary cholangitis who may have active B-cell responses and AMAs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without PBC or with non-autoimmune liver conditions may not benefit.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers at Yale will map how P2RY8 signaling in liver lymphatic endothelial cells changes B-cell activation and antibody production in people with primary biliary cholangitis. They will use human liver data and experimental models to link P2RY8 activity to B-cell behavior and AMA generation. The goal is to identify a new liver-specific communication pathway that could become a target for therapies in PBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this pathway could lead to new treatments that reduce autoimmune B-cell activity and liver damage in PBC.
How similar studies have gone: Some studies have shown B-cell movements and signaling influence autoimmune liver diseases, but this specific P2RY8–LyEC axis in PBC is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iwakiri, Yasuko — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Iwakiri, Yasuko
Related research
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-
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Seladelpar and Cilofexor in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)
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-
Austrian PBC Registry
This registry follows adults with primary biliary cholangitis in Austrian centers to see how the disease develops over time and how biomarkers relate to complications and symptoms.
-
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-
Saroglitazar Magnesium for PBC with incomplete UDCA response or intolerance
This study tests whether Saroglitazar Magnesium can help people with primary biliary cholangitis who still have high alkaline phosphatase despite UDCA or cannot take UDCA.
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.