Understanding How Inflammation and Cell Death Lead to Liver Scarring
Official title: Sterile inflammation and pyroptotic cell death in liver fibrosis
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11095871 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how a specific immune process called the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to liver scarring, also known as fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2017 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $565,420 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK113592-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11095871 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with chronic liver inflammation or early signs of liver fibrosis might eventually benefit from therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver conditions not related to inflammation or pyroptotic cell death may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
This research explores how a key immune system component, the NLRP3 inflammasome, causes inflammation and a specific type of cell death in the liver. We believe that when this inflammasome is overactive, it changes important immune cells in the liver, leading to scarring. Our work uses advanced techniques to observe these changes at a very detailed level, including how different immune cells interact. By understanding these mechanisms, we hope to uncover new ways to prevent or treat liver fibrosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that target specific immune pathways to prevent or reverse liver scarring.
How similar studies have gone: This research builds upon existing knowledge of the NLRP3 inflammasome's role in inflammation, but its specific focus on liver fibrosis mechanisms offers a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoffman, Harold M — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Hoffman, Harold M
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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.