Understanding the role of TREM2 in liver disease progression.

Dissecting the Intracellular and Extracellular Role of TREM2 in the Pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis.

NIH-funded research Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11128281

This study is looking at how a protein called TREM2 affects the liver condition known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to help understand why some people with fatty liver get worse while others don’t, with the hope of finding new ways to treat NASH.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11128281 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how TREM2, a receptor found on immune cells, influences the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver condition. By studying both the intracellular and extracellular functions of TREM2, the researchers aim to uncover why some individuals with fatty liver progress to NASH while others do not. The study involves analyzing serum levels of a soluble form of TREM2 and its effects on inflammation and liver health. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatment strategies for NASH.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Not a fit: Patients with liver diseases caused by alcohol consumption or other non-metabolic factors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and preventing its progression to liver cancer.

How similar studies have performed: While the role of TREM2 in liver disease is being explored, this specific approach to understanding its protective mechanisms in NASH is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.