Synergy between liver tissue environment and cell interactions in fatty liver disease
Official title: Synergistic effects of ECM and heterotypic crosstalk on cellular responses in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11360197 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing overview of a project exploring how liver cells communicate and respond to their surroundings in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to identify new ways to treat fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 8, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $561,226 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK115747-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360197 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) who are at risk for fibrosis and liver complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without NASH or with mild disease may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced lab models to recreate the liver’s microenvironment and study how different cells talk to each other during fatty liver disease. Researchers will manipulate extracellular matrix signals and mechanical cues to see how these factors drive fibrosis-related changes in liver cells. The work aims to reveal key pathways that could be targeted to prevent scar tissue from advancing to serious liver damage. Insights from these human-relevant models may guide future therapies and help patients with NASH in the long term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could point to new targets for drugs that slow or stop liver fibrosis in NASH.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches using human-relevant liver models have shown promise in identifying fibrosis-related pathways, supporting potential for translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khetani, Salman R — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Khetani, Salman R
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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.