Stopping liver scarring by changing how scar-forming liver cells use fuel
Targeting hepatic stellate cell metabolism to treat steatotic liver disease
This work tries to stop scar-forming liver cells from using certain fuels so people with fatty liver disease might have less scarring.
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-11223905 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear that scientists are focusing on hepatic stellate cells, the liver cells that make scar tissue, to see how their metabolism supports scarring. They plan to block key metabolic pathways (for example, mitochondrial pyruvate entry and glutamine use) that drive these cells to multiply and produce collagen. Experiments will use lab-grown cells and animal models to test whether these metabolic blocks reduce cell activation and fibrosis. The long-term goal is to discover targets that could lead to medicines to prevent or reverse scarring in fatty liver disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with steatotic liver disease such as NAFLD or NASH, especially those showing signs of liver fibrosis, would be the most relevant patients for future therapies from this work.
Not a fit: People whose liver disease is caused by other factors (for example, advanced cirrhosis from long-standing viral hepatitis or autoimmune disease) or those without fatty liver may not benefit from these specific metabolic interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce or reverse liver fibrosis in people with fatty (steatotic) liver disease, lowering the risk of cirrhosis and liver failure.
How similar studies have performed: Early lab and animal studies have shown that blocking pyruvate transport or glutamine metabolism can reduce stellate cell activation, but benefits in people have not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Finck, Brian N — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Finck, Brian N
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.