RNA chemical tags and liver inflammation in obesity-related fatty liver disease
Official title: RNA m6A methylation contributes to hepatic inflammation in obesity-associated NAFLD
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11248830 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether changes in an RNA chemical mark called m6A in immune cells drive liver inflammation in people with obesity-related fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $396,349 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134549-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11248830 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity-associated NAFLD or NASH would be the most relevant candidates for follow-up studies or future clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
People whose liver disease is primarily due to alcohol use, viral hepatitis, or unrelated genetic disorders are less likely to benefit directly from findings focused on obesity-driven NAFLD.
What this research studies
The team is examining how m6A RNA methylation in myeloid immune cells affects inflammation that pushes fatty liver disease (NAFLD) toward steatohepatitis (NASH). They use single-cell RNA sequencing to map immune cell changes and genetic mouse models that delete the m6A 'writer' METTL3 in myeloid cells. The work links m6A-modified messages such as DDIT4 to inflammation pathways like mTOR/NFkB and may include analysis of human immune cells or tissues to connect lab findings to patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to reduce liver inflammation and slow or prevent progression from NAFLD to NASH.
How similar studies have gone: Previous lab studies have shown that m6A affects immune cell behavior and metabolic inflammation, but translating these molecular findings into clinical treatments remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ouyang, Xinshou — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Ouyang, Xinshou
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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.