Protecting fatty (steatotic) livers from surgery and transplant-related damage
Autophagy in liver injury
Seeing if fixing a mitochondrial protein can help protect people with fatty livers from damage during liver surgery or transplantation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290349 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring whether a mitochondrial protein called mitoNEET helps fatty livers withstand the stress of interrupted blood flow during surgery or transplant. They will study liver cells in the lab to uncover molecular steps, then test outcomes in whole mice using a controlled ischemia/reperfusion model. Finally, the team will use discarded human livers to examine the same mechanisms and to test potential treatments for safety and effectiveness. The project focuses on autophagy, energy handling, and iron regulation as reasons fatty livers are more susceptible to injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with fatty (steatotic) livers who are undergoing liver resection or transplantation would be the main patient group this work is intended to help.
Not a fit: Patients without fatty liver disease or those with unrelated causes of liver failure are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce liver damage during resection or transplantation in people with fatty livers and improve surgical outcomes and graft survival.
How similar studies have performed: Animal and cell studies targeting mitochondrial function have shown promise for reducing liver injury, but applying mitoNEET-focused approaches to steatotic livers is relatively new and early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Jae-Sung — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Kim, Jae-Sung
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 below.