Understanding liver disease in people with HIV
YAP signaling in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in people living with HIV
This project explores why liver disease, specifically fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is common and often more severe in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142541 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Liver disease has become a major health concern for people living with HIV, with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) being a leading cause of serious liver scarring. We currently don't fully understand why NAFLD progresses faster and more severely in individuals with HIV compared to those without. This research focuses on a specific cellular pathway, called YAP, which appears to play a significant role in how liver scarring develops. By uncovering how HIV influences this YAP pathway, we aim to identify new ways to prevent or treat severe liver disease in this vulnerable population.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on understanding the mechanisms of liver disease in people living with HIV who also have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Not a fit: Patients without HIV or NAFLD would not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that target the YAP pathway to prevent or slow down liver scarring in people with HIV and NAFLD.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by the researchers and others has shown that HIV can promote liver scarring and that the YAP pathway is involved in NAFLD fibrosis, suggesting a promising direction for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chung, Raymond T — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chung, Raymond T
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.