Understanding Liver Cell Changes in NASH
Epigenetics of human Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs) in NASH
This project aims to understand how liver cells change in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to help find new ways to prevent liver scarring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158652 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our liver cells, called Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs), play a big part in how nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) develops. When the liver is damaged, these HSCs can become active and cause scarring, which is called fibrosis. We want to discover the specific changes in these human liver cells that lead to scarring, even though the DNA sequence itself doesn't change. By looking closely at how the cell's genetic material is organized and accessed, we hope to uncover the triggers for this harmful process. This knowledge could lead to new treatments that stop or reverse liver damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) who are at risk of liver fibrosis might benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose liver disease is not related to NASH or HSC activation may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent or reverse liver scarring in patients with NASH.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of HSCs in liver fibrosis is known, this project uses advanced single-cell technologies to uncover new epigenetic mechanisms in human cells, making its specific approach novel.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kisseleva, Tatiana — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Kisseleva, Tatiana
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 below.