Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute, Inc. (KUMCRI) received a $426,250 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) awarded on February 13, 2026, with completion targeted for January 31, 2028. The grant supports research investigating hepatic lymphatics and the immune response in acute liver failure (ALF), with particular focus on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury. The research aims to characterize the role of hepatic lymphatics and specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators in facilitating immune cell clearance and liver regeneration following severe drug-induced liver failure, potentially identifying therapeutic targets to complement existing N-acetylcysteine treatment protocols.

The project delivers biomedical research outputs that advance scientific knowledge of liver disease mechanisms and recovery pathways compromised in ALF patients. Research activities include investigation of lymphangiogenesis, immune cell emigration dynamics, and the therapeutic potential of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells in promoting resolution of hepatic inflammation. These research products contribute to the NIAID program's mission of supporting investigator-initiated biomedical research that addresses infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases while improving health outcomes and advancing understanding of disease pathogenesis.