PlasticLiver
Financiado
Mechanisms of cell plasticity in the liver
The liver can regenerate thanks to a unique cell plasticity in which terminally differentiated cells change identity. Hepatocytes, the most abundant cell type sustaining liver metabolism, can transdifferentiate into a completely d...
The liver can regenerate thanks to a unique cell plasticity in which terminally differentiated cells change identity. Hepatocytes, the most abundant cell type sustaining liver metabolism, can transdifferentiate into a completely different cell type to repair the bile duct epithelium, which entails not only a fate switch but also a conversion of epithelial polarity. Despite this regenerative capacity, bile duct diseases present a major clinical challenge, often requiring a liver transplant. Activating and controlling endogenous regenerative programs, which preliminary data suggest are liver region-specific, is thus a promising therapeutic strategy but requires a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
Based on regional differences in the quality of regenerated bile ducts in a mouse model of Alagille syndrome, I hypothesize that bile ducts in the hilar region regenerate via cholangiocyte proliferation, yielding well-formed epithelia, while bile ducts at the organ periphery develop de novo via hepatocyte transdifferentiation, yielding malformed bile ducts with aberrant polarity. Because there are multiple cell sources for liver repair, PlasticLiver aims to account for spatial and within-cell type heterogeneity in the liver during bile duct regeneration. Taking advantage of a novel cutting-edge approach for high resolution barcode lineage tracing and gene expression profiling co-developed in my host lab, I will resolve region-specific cell sources and mechanisms in developing and regenerating livers of a mouse model of Alagille syndrome. Moreover, combining generated single cell gene expression data and microscopy analysis of healthy and regenerated tissues, I will identify molecular mechanisms and potential targets to improve epithelial polarity in regenerated peripheral bile ducts. Ultimately, PlasticLiver will yield fundamental mechanistic insights into cell fate decisions and why liver, but no other organs, uses this type of cellular plasticity.
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Duración del proyecto: 29 meses
Fecha Inicio: 2022-06-07
Fecha Fin: 2024-11-30
Fecha Fin: 2024-11-30
Línea de financiación: concedida
El organismo HORIZON EUROPE notifico la concesión del proyecto el día 2022-06-07
Línea de financiación objetivo
El proyecto se financió a través de la siguiente ayuda:
HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01-01:
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021
Cerrada
hace 3 años
Presupuesto
El presupuesto total del proyecto asciende a
223K€
Líder del proyecto
KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
No se ha especificado una descripción o un objeto social para esta compañía.
Perfil tecnológico
TRL
4-5
Perfil tecnológico
TRL
4-5