Project Details
Projekt
Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor (CSF1R) signaling in liver homeostasis and regeneration
Applicant
Dr. Sarah Schulze
Subject Area
General and Visceral Surgery
Term
from 2021 to 2024
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 490753453
As a surgeon my focus of interest is the clinical need for therapies to limit liver fibrosis progression, promote resolution and restore hepatocyte and macrophage function to limit the significant burden of chronic, but also acute liver disease, allowing extended surgical resections. Aiming to alleviate the impact of ischemic injury, and preserve liver function, novel scientific findings could increase availability of organs for transplant. Additional benefits may include amelioration of fibrosis and steatosis, as well as augmentation of macrophage immune function. Investigations could lead to future strategies that manage to utilise livers that are now deemed unsuitable for transplantation.Preclinical data in mice support the therapeutic potential of CSF1-Fc as a liver regenerative therapy, especially in acute treatment settings. The function and therapeutic potential of IL34, which signals through the same receptor, in liver injury is unknown. With the expertise and resources of the host institution and its members, combined with my personal skills and scientific interest, I propose to investigate the impact of CSF1 and IL34 in rat models of liver injury and regeneration, and the impact of CSF1 on human liver undergoing NMP (normothermic machine perfusion).
DFG Programme
WBP Fellowship
International Connection
Australia
