Role of SMAD1/5/8 signaling in liver fibrosis
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11504353 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how specific liver cell signals influence scarring (fibrosis) in the liver, with a focus on people who have alcohol-related liver disease or related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,265 |
| NIH project number | 4R00DK138293-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11504353 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-involved trial; however, findings may inform future therapies for people with liver fibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
People without liver disease or fibrosis may not benefit directly from this basic science study.
What this research studies
Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis seriously affect health and can lead to serious complications. The project will study SMAD1/5/8 signaling in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells to understand how these signals may protect against or promote fibrosis. Using lab experiments and animal models, researchers will examine how this pathway affects interactions between liver cells, iron balance, and Wnt signaling that can activate scar-forming cells. The findings could reveal new angles for preventing or slowing liver scarring in conditions like iron-related liver disease and fatty liver disease. This work aims to identify mechanisms that could be targeted to reduce fibrosis and improve liver health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest a protective role for SMAD1/5/8 signaling in liver fibrosis, but mechanisms are not fully understood, making this exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xiao, Xia — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Xiao, Xia
Related research
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A patient-focused liver fibrosis test platform is being developed to help speed the creation of medicines that treat liver scarring by using human-derived liver cells and tissue signals.
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A study in adults looks at how the enzyme HK2 helps drive liver scarring in NASH and may influence the development of liver cancer, with potential to point to new treatments.
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A new program is testing Paxillin-FAK inhibitors to slow or stop liver fibrosis in adults with liver diseases like alcoholic liver disease and MASH.
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.