Regulatory T cells and their role in MASLD progression
Official title: Regulatory CD4+ T (Treg) cells dynamics in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11339017 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how regulatory T cells behave in the liver of adults with MASLD to understand why the disease progresses and what might help treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $714,898 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK146906-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11339017 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with MASLD or at risk for MASLD who provide liver-related tissue or blood samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without MASLD or without access to relevant liver tissue or blood samples would not stand to benefit directly from this study.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how regulatory T cells in the liver respond to the fatty, inflamed environment seen in MASLD and how these cells may shift from calming inflammation to potentially promoting it. The study will use human samples from adults with MASLD to analyze Treg cell function, their interactions with fatty acids and cytokines, and how the liver microenvironment influences their behavior. Findings could reveal new ways to preserve the anti-inflammatory role of Tregs or prevent their pro-inflammatory shift, informing future therapies for MASLD and its progression to more severe liver disease. This work aims to connect immune regulation in the liver with the metabolic factors driving MASLD, guiding targeted approaches to treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of Treg cells in MASLD could lead to new strategies to reduce liver inflammation and slow disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown immune regulation in the liver affects MASLD progression, with ongoing work exploring Treg cell dynamics in metabolic disease.
Where this research is happening
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Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fields (N,e Moreno-Fernandez), Maria Eugenia — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Fields (N,e Moreno-Fernandez), Maria Eugenia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Them1’s role in fat metabolism and MASLD progression
Aims to understand how a fat-regulating protein (Them1) affects energy use in fat and liver, and how this could contribute to MASLD in people who are overweight.
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Understanding MASLD progression to MASH and liver cancer in Alaska Native communities
A patient-facing overview of a study that looks at why a common liver disease progresses to more serious conditions in Alaska Native and American Indian people.
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Pediatric MASLD: a blood test to detect liver disease progression in kids
A child-friendly blood test is being developed to spot liver disease progression in kids with MASLD without needing biopsies.
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Growth Hormone and DNA Repair in Children's MASLD outcomes
A small, patient-friendly study will explore how growth hormone and the ATM DNA repair pathway affect liver health in children with MASLD.
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Isocaloric navy bean substitution for MASLD with fibrosis
A small, patient-friendly trial tests whether swapping in navy beans for some daily calories can help adults with MASLD and liver fibrosis without changing total calories.
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S100A9+ immune cells driving liver scarring in MASLD/MASH
Affects people with MASLD/MASH may benefit from a better understanding of how certain immune cells contribute to liver fibrosis and how to stop it.
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.