TREM2: a helper in liver inflammation and scarring in NASH
Official title: Dissecting the Intracellular and Extracellular Role of TREM2 in the Pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis.
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11372278 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach studies how a liver immune receptor called TREM2 helps protect against liver inflammation and scarring in people with fatty liver disease that can progress to NASH.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $664,854 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137061-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372278 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for NAFLD/NASH whose disease biology could be modeled in experimental systems or whose samples may illuminate TREM2-related pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with NASH progressing through stages not influenced by TREM2 signaling may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how TREM2, a receptor on immune cells, influences the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by looking at both intracellular and extracellular signals. Researchers will investigate how TREM2 and its soluble form (sTREM2) interact with immune and liver cells, and how these interactions affect inflammation and fibrosis in models of NASH. The study uses laboratory models and analysis of human-relevant pathways to understand potential protective mechanisms that could be targeted for therapy. Outcomes may point to new strategies to prevent liver damage in patients with fatty liver disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets to prevent or reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis in NASH, potentially guiding future therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests TREM2 has a complex role in NASH, with potential protective effects that warrant further investigation.
Where this research is happening
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Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dhar, Debanjan — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Dhar, Debanjan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Role of metabolic stress in NASH-related liver cancer
This grant explores how metabolic stress linked to NASH may drive liver cancer and looks for ways to interrupt that process to help patients.
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Genes behind fatty liver disease and NASH
This project looks at how specific genes change fatty liver disease and scarring to help guide better tests and treatments for people with NAFLD/NASH.
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Ex-vivo bioengineered liver cells to study NASH-related dysfunction
Researchers will use patient-derived stem cell–made liver cells in a lab setup to understand why NASH causes liver damage and how stiffness of the liver’s surroundings affects this process.
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How TREM2 on immune cells affects fatty liver disease (NASH)
This project looks at whether the immune protein TREM2 helps drive liver inflammation and scarring in people with NASH.
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New small-molecule medicines that stabilize Axin to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Trying new small-molecule drugs that stabilize Axin to lower liver fat and scarring for people with NASH.
-
How bile acids and sphingosine-1-phosphate affect fatty liver (NASH)
This project looks at how bile acids and a fat-signaling molecule called sphingosine-1-phosphate change liver cells in people with NASH to find new treatment leads.
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.