Understanding Liver Scarring in Cholestatic Diseases
The Role of Portal Fibroblasts in Cholestatic Liver Fibrosis
This research explores how specific cells cause liver scarring in conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis.
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-11116851 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cholestatic liver fibrosis, a severe outcome of chronic liver diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), involves extensive scarring from cells called activated hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts. This project focuses on understanding the specific role of portal fibroblasts in this scarring process, particularly how certain signals contribute to their activation. Researchers are using specialized mouse models to observe how these signals affect liver scarring over time. The goal is to uncover the unique ways these cells become active and contribute to fibrosis, including exploring different molecular pathways, to shed light on the complex interactions that drive liver damage in these conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for patients interested in the underlying causes of cholestatic liver diseases like primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention will not benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat liver scarring in patients with cholestatic liver diseases.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon existing knowledge about liver fibrosis and cell signaling, but the specific mechanisms and signaling pathways being explored are 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.