Research
RESEARCH: Gastroenterology & Hepatology
With expertise at the molecular, cellular, animal model and human tissue biopsy level, division faculty are able to address a broad range of basic science questions raised by gastrointestinal tract diseases.
In the past year, Stephen Caldwell has successfully launched three studies of anti-LOXL for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis/fibrosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) – common conditions with no effective treatment options currently available once fibrosis has developed. The ambitious goals of the study are to blunt, and possibly reverse, liver scarring and potentially impact the development of advanced portal hypertension. Another study aimed at a milder form of NASH, using a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and delta agonist, is set to begin in July 2013. The treatment trials are funded through research agreements with biotechnology development companies Gilead Sciences, Inc., and Genfit Corp.
The division’s Coagulation in Liver Disease interest group began in 2005 with an international symposium organized by Stephen Caldwell and held in Charlottesville. Four subsequent symposia have been held and international collaborative research efforts are underway to explore issues related to bleeding and thrombotic disorders in liver disease patients. The 5th International Symposium, co-organized by division faculty and colleagues at the University Hospital of Padua, will be held in Italy in September 2013.
Division-sponsored clinical trials currently underway:
NIH-sponsored research and training grants include:
- R01: Role of Dab2 in Fatty Liver Disease (PI: Leitinger; co-PI: Caldwell)
- 5T32DK007769-12: Research Training in Digestive Diseases (PI: Cohn)
- 5 K01DK082614-04: Role of Intestinal Cell Kinase in the Intestinal Epithelium (PI: Fu)
Foundation grants include:
- Role of RELMβ in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory bowel disease – Broad Medical Research Foundation (PI: Cohn)
- Fecal microbiota transplants for the treatment of C. difficile infections – UVA Buchanan Endowment Program (Co-PIs: Behm/Hays)