The Role of IL-6 and NASH in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) linked to Metabolic Disease (C03)

• Subject Area: Gastroenterology
• Term: from 2010 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 80750187

The mechanism how NASH causes HCC is unknown. We and others show that IL-6 depletion causes liver steatosis and potentiates inflammation; on the other hand, IL-6 induces HCC in mice following administration of carcinogens. We wish to elucidate whether IL-6 plays a protective role against chronic liver injury associated with NAFLD, preventing HCC. Specifically, we wish: 1) to understand the potential role of the IL-6 pathway (signaling and transsignaling) in HCC development; 2) to determine the impact of diet-induced NAFLD on the IL-6 pathway in hepatocarcinogenesis; and 3) to assess novel therapeutic avenues to treat obesity-driven HCC.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 841: Liver Inflammation: Infection, Immune Regulation and Consequences
• International Connection: Israel
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Eithan Galun