The role of proteotoxic stress in the gut-liver axis (A03)

• Subject Area: Gastroenterology
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 403224013

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a hallmark of the gut-liver axis and characterised by simultaneous intestinal and biliary injury. Previously, we studied epithelial factors that may trigger PSC phenotype and also expanded our knowledge of the proteotoxic disorder alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). Project A3 will further examine the emerging impact of gut-liver axis-related factors on AATD-related liver injury. The proteotoxic stress in inflammatory and intestinal cells and their response to gut-liver axis-related factors will be tested. An iterative assessment of human samples and experimental models will uncover the importance of the gut-liver axis in AATD.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1382: Gut-liver axis – Functional circuits and therapeutic targets
• Applicant Institution: Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
• Project Heads: Dr. Nurdan Güldiken; Professor Dr. Pavel Strnad