Single-cell and spatial mapping of liver degeneration and regeneration

Single-cell Multiomics and Spatiotemporal Omics Analyze the Mechanism of Liver Degenerative Disease

This project will try to use single-cell and spatial omics on preoperative blood and discarded liver tissue from people having liver surgery or biopsy to map how cells change during fatty liver, HBV infection, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 240 (estimated)
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
• Trial ID: NCT07265544 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The study will collect preoperative peripheral blood and discarded liver tissue from patients undergoing hepatectomy or liver biopsy across a range of ages and disease stages, aiming for a repository of 160–240 cases. Researchers will apply single-cell transcriptomics, chromatin accessibility assays, and spatial omics to define cell types, states, and their spatial arrangements in healthy, aging, fatty liver, HBV-infected, fibrotic, and cirrhotic livers. By comparing cellular phenotypes, functions, spatial distributions, and intercellular interactions across groups, the project aims to build a spatiotemporal atlas of liver degeneration and regeneration. No experimental treatments will be given as part of the protocol; clinical care is provided by the treating physician as appropriate.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients of any age who are scheduled for liver surgery or biopsy for hepatic hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, fatty liver, HBV infection, liver fibrosis, or cirrhosis and can provide informed consent and preoperative blood samples.

Not a fit: Patients with excluded concurrent infections (e.g., HIV), coagulation disorders, severe immunocompromise, or those not undergoing biopsy or surgery are unlikely to benefit directly, and participants should not expect therapeutic benefit because the study does not provide experimental treatments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify diagnostic markers and molecular targets that guide future cell, gene, or drug therapies for fatty liver, HBV-related disease, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

How similar studies have performed: Previous single-cell and spatial omics studies in liver disease have identified cell-type changes and fibrosis-associated signatures, but a comprehensive spatiotemporal atlas across aging and multiple degenerative stages is still relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Voluntarily signed the informed consent form;
2. No restrictions on age and gender;
3. Patients diagnosed with hepatic hemangioma or focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver in accordance with the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Focal Liver Lesions (2014 Edition)" and the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemangiomas and Vascular Malformations (2019 Edition)";
4. Patients with hepatic hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver, fatty liver, HBV infection, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis who clinically require liver surgery or liver biopsy.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals with concurrent infections such as HIV will be excluded.
2. Patients with coagulation system disorders, such as hemophilia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, will not be included.
3. Those with severe underlying diseases that affect the body's immune status will be excluded.
4. Individuals whom the investigator deems unsuitable for participation in this study will be excluded.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

• Nan — Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yongyin Li, Dr.

Conditions: Liver Neoplasm, HBV Infection, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD, Liver Fibrosis, single-cell multi-omics, HBV infection, liver degenerative changes