Understanding how immune cells influence liver development
Official title: The Role of Macrophages in Hepatobiliary Development
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11085222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special immune cells called macrophages help the liver and bile ducts grow, using zebrafish to see what happens when these cells are missing, which could lead to better treatments for kids with liver problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $612,067 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135270-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years with conditions affecting liver development, such as Alagille Syndrome or biliary atresia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully developed livers or those outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of macrophages, a type of immune cell, in the development of the liver and bile ducts. Using advanced imaging techniques and genetically modified zebrafish, the researchers aim to understand how the absence of these cells affects liver formation and function. By identifying the specific times and signals that attract macrophages to the developing liver, the study seeks to uncover critical mechanisms that could inform future treatments for liver-related conditions. The findings may provide insights into how liver development can be optimized or repaired in children with certain congenital liver diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating liver diseases in children.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of macrophages in liver development is not well-studied, similar research has shown promising results in understanding immune cell functions in other organ developments.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goessling, Wolfram — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Goessling, Wolfram
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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.