Understanding how liver cells compete to improve treatment for liver diseases
Official title: Combating Chronic Liver Diseases via Understanding and Engineering Cell Competition and Fitness
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11131169 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how healthy liver cells can help get rid of damaged ones, and it aims to find new ways to help the liver heal better, which could lead to better treatments for people with chronic liver diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $683,339 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140405-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11131169 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults suffering from chronic liver diseases, particularly those related to alcohol-induced liver injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute liver failure or those who do not have chronic liver conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of cell competition in the liver, focusing on how certain liver cells can outcompete damaged or mutated cells. By studying activin A, a protein that influences cell behavior, the research aims to develop new strategies to enhance liver regeneration and repair. The approach involves modifying liver cells or stem cells to mimic the advantageous traits of fetal liver cells, which can effectively replace damaged liver tissue. Patients may benefit from insights gained in this research that could lead to innovative therapies for chronic liver diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve liver function and recovery for patients with chronic liver diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using cell competition mechanisms to enhance tissue regeneration, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oertel, Michael — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Oertel, Michael
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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.