Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston received a $158,220 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), effective May 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. This K01 career development award supports research investigating the role of neutrophil-derived Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-Alpha (HIF1A) signaling in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, a leading cause of graft dysfunction following liver transplantation. The project deliverables include mechanistic studies elucidating how neutrophil-HIF1A-induced Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) contributes to hepatic I/R injury, investigation of therapeutic strategies targeting MIF to mitigate I/R injury, and proof-of-principle clinical studies in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

The award supports the career development of the principal investigator toward research independence in liver pathology and innate immunity, combining basic laboratory research with translational clinical applications. Research activities focus on three primary aims: determining the regulation of MIF by neutrophil-derived HIF1A and its function in hepatic I/R injury; investigating underlying mechanisms by which neutrophil-derived MIF exacerbates hepatic I/R injury; and evaluating the therapeutic potential of MIF-targeting interventions. This research addresses a critical clinical need in transplantation medicine by identifying new therapeutic targets to improve outcomes in patients receiving marginal liver grafts who face elevated post-transplant complications due to increased I/R injury susceptibility.