Understanding how immune cells contribute to liver scarring in infants with biliary atresia
Official title: Mechanisms of neutrophil extracellular trap formation and contribution to biliary fibrosis in biliary atresia
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11141644 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how certain immune cells called neutrophils cause liver scarring in babies born with biliary atresia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $545,972 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140072-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141644 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research focuses on understanding the disease process in infants with biliary atresia, particularly those experiencing significant liver scarring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without biliary atresia or those whose liver disease is not driven by similar immune mechanisms may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Biliary atresia is a serious liver condition in infants where bile ducts are blocked, leading to severe scarring (fibrosis) and often requiring a liver transplant. This project aims to understand a specific immune process involving neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, and how they create 'traps' that contribute to this scarring. By studying these immune mechanisms in both a mouse model and human samples, researchers hope to uncover new ways to prevent or slow down liver damage. This could eventually lead to new treatments for infants with biliary atresia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent liver scarring in infants with biliary atresia, potentially reducing the need for liver transplants.
How similar studies have gone: While specific immune pathways have been implicated, the precise role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in promoting biliary fibrosis in biliary atresia is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mack, Cara Lynn — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Mack, Cara Lynn
Related research
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MMP7-Positive Liver Cells Driving Fibrosis in Biliary Atresia
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Mechanisms of neutrophil NETs and their role in biliary fibrosis in biliary atresia
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Understanding how immune cells contribute to liver damage in infants with biliary atresia
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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.