Understanding how RNA binding proteins drive liver scarring and how to slow it down
Official title: Post-transcriptional regulation by RNA binding proteins in liver fibrosis
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11449893 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher team is studying how certain RNA binding proteins, especially LARP6, regulate the liver’s scar-building process in alcoholic liver disease to identify potential ways to reduce fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $910,940 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK145938-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449893 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with alcoholic liver disease or MASLD/MetALD who are at risk of fibrosis and may benefit from future anti-fibrotic therapies.
✕Less likely to help
This grant is primarily a basic science study; it does not involve direct patient treatment, and immediate benefits to individuals are not guaranteed.
What this research studies
Chronic liver injury from alcohol and related conditions can cause fibrosis, the buildup of scar tissue that can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. This project looks at the tiny molecular players called RNA binding proteins that control how scar proteins like collagen are made in liver cells. By focusing on LARP6 and other RBPs, researchers will map which proteins influence fibrosis and how they interact with RNA and other cellular partners. The goal is to uncover targets for therapies that could dampen fibrotic processes before permanent damage occurs in patients with MASLD/MetALD-related liver disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new therapeutic strategies to reduce liver fibrosis and improve outcomes for people with alcoholic liver disease and related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in other organs suggest RBPs influence fibrotic processes, supporting potential relevance to liver disease, though liver-specific evidence is ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brenner, David a. — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Brenner, David a.
Related research
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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.