Understanding how TREM2 affects liver disease related to obesity
Official title: Deciphering the role of TREM2 in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11013386 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a certain receptor called TREM2 affects liver inflammation and damage in people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver condition often related to obesity, to help us understand more about what causes this disease and how it might be treated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $324,720 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133283-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013386 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, particularly those with obesity-related liver issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver diseases unrelated to obesity or those without a diagnosis of NASH may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a specific receptor, TREM2, in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe liver condition linked to obesity. By using specialized mouse models, the researchers aim to uncover how TREM2-expressing macrophages contribute to liver inflammation and damage in NASH. The study will analyze the cellular mechanisms involved and how they may lead to chronic liver disease. Patients with NASH may benefit from insights gained about the underlying causes of their condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating NASH and improving liver health in affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the role of inflammation in liver diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liang, Shuang — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Liang, Shuang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Role of metabolic stress in NASH-related liver cancer
This grant explores how metabolic stress linked to NASH may drive liver cancer and looks for ways to interrupt that process to help patients.
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TREM2: a helper in liver inflammation and scarring in NASH
A new approach studies how a liver immune receptor called TREM2 helps protect against liver inflammation and scarring in people with fatty liver disease that can progress to NASH.
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Genes behind fatty liver disease and NASH
This project looks at how specific genes change fatty liver disease and scarring to help guide better tests and treatments for people with NAFLD/NASH.
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Ex-vivo bioengineered liver cells to study NASH-related dysfunction
Researchers will use patient-derived stem cell–made liver cells in a lab setup to understand why NASH causes liver damage and how stiffness of the liver’s surroundings affects this process.
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How TREM2 on immune cells affects fatty liver disease (NASH)
This project looks at whether the immune protein TREM2 helps drive liver inflammation and scarring in people with NASH.
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New small-molecule medicines that stabilize Axin to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Trying new small-molecule drugs that stabilize Axin to lower liver fat and scarring for people with NASH.
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.