Project Grant R01DK145938

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute $910,940 on August 10, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to investigate post-transcriptional regulation of liver fibrosis by RNA binding proteins.

The recipient will conduct basic research to identify and characterize RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that control fibrosis-related gene expression in liver cells, with specific focus on LARP6, which is highly active in activated hepatic stellate cells and promotes collagen production. The work includes three main research components: identifying additional RBPs influencing fibrosis; investigating molecular mechanisms through which LARP6 interacts with RNA and other proteins to promote fibrogenesis; and exploring therapeutic approaches to block LARP6 activity using genetic mouse models with cell-type-specific LARP6 deletion in hepatic stellate cells, antisense oligonucleotides to deplete LARP6, and small molecule compounds that inhibit LARP6 function. The research addresses metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic alcoholic liver disease, major causes of liver fibrosis that can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer.

Performance occurs in La Jolla, California. The award period runs through April 30, 2030.