Role of Beta Spectrin and SMAD in Alcohol-Related Liver Injury
Official title: Role of Beta Spectrin and Smad in Alcohol-Induced Liver and GI Cell Proliferation
Funded at Feinstein Institute for Medical Research · NIH-11380855 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how a protein pathway involving betaII-spectrin and SMAD affects liver damage from alcohol and fat-related disease, with potential implications for preventing liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Feinstein Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhasset, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $443,383 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA023146-20 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380855 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with alcoholic liver disease or fatty liver disease, particularly those with ALDH2 deficiency or liver injury risk, who may benefit from future targeted therapies or participate in related clinical studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without alcohol use or fatty liver disease or those not related to the ALDH2 deficiency pathway may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how alcohol-related liver disease and fatty liver disease develop by examining a key pathway involving TGF-β, SMAD3, and betaII-spectrin. Researchers are using mouse models with genetic modifications (Aldh2-/-, Sptbn1+/- and combinations) to study how these genes influence liver damage, lipid buildup, and DNA repair, with plans to test whether reducing betaII-spectrin can lessen liver injury. The work combines genetic, molecular, and metabolic analyses to connect liver stress from fats and aldehydes to disease progression. Outcomes could reveal new targets to prevent or mitigate liver disease in people with ALDH2 deficiency or high alcohol exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify new molecular targets to reduce alcohol-related and fatty liver injury and improve treatment strategies for patients at risk of liver failure.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies in mice have shown that modulating betaII-spectrin and SMAD3 can affect liver injury and metabolism, supporting further exploration in humans.
Where this research is happening
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Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
Manhasset, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mishra, Lopa — Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Mishra, Lopa
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.