Understanding how protein folding affects liver fibrosis

Elucidating the Role and Regulation of Proteostasis in Hepatic Fibrogenesis

NIH-funded research Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11085215

This study is looking at how the way proteins fold in liver cells affects liver fibrosis, a condition that can harm your liver, and it aims to find new ways to help treat this issue by understanding how certain cells react to stress from misfolded proteins.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIndiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Indianapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11085215 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of protein folding in the development of liver fibrosis, a condition that can lead to severe liver damage. It focuses on hepatic stellate cells, which are responsible for producing proteins that contribute to fibrosis. By examining how these cells respond to stress from improperly folded proteins, the research aims to identify new therapeutic strategies to reverse fibrosis. The approach includes isolating specific cells and analyzing their genetic responses to better understand the underlying mechanisms of fibrogenesis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis resulting from chronic liver injury.

Not a fit: Patients with liver conditions unrelated to fibrosis or those who are not experiencing chronic liver injury may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively reverse liver fibrosis and improve liver function.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting cellular stress responses to treat fibrosis, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

Indianapolis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.