Understanding how liver macrophages clear dead liver cells in NASH
Official title: Clearance of Dead Hepatocytes by Liver Macrophages in NASH
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10876314 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the liver help remove dead liver cells in people with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver condition, to find new ways to treat the disease and improve liver health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $90,000 |
| NIH project number | 5K99DK137021-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876314 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver diseases other than NASH or those without liver conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of liver macrophages in clearing dead liver cells in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver disease. The study focuses on understanding how the failure to clear these dead cells contributes to liver damage and fibrosis. By examining the mechanisms of cell clearance, particularly the differences between apoptotic and necroptotic liver cells, the research aims to identify potential new therapeutic targets. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to the development of effective treatments for NASH.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for NASH, improving liver health and patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of macrophage clearance in NASH are not well-studied, similar approaches in other diseases have shown promise in understanding cell death and clearance.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Hongxue — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Shi, Hongxue
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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.