Single Cell Analysis in NAFLD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of mechanisms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through single cell RNA expression profiling.
IRAS ID
237681
Contact name
Michael Allison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes fat accumulation and its consequences. It is increasingly common in developed and developing countries and is seen in approximately a quarter of the UK population. It encompasses a spectrum of disease from simple fact accumulation (simple steatosis), through fat with inflammation and scarring (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH), to cirrhosis with its sequelae of liver failure and liver cancer.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) describes the accumulation of fat with inflammation and scarring in the liver. NASH is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes, and is therefore becoming increasingly common. Despite the known links to obesity and the associated metabolic consequences, the precise mechanisms behind the fat accumulation and how this causes inflammation in the human disease are incompletely understood. Furthermore, the interplay between the inflamed liver cells and the response of the rest of the liver in developing scarring, which can progress to cirrhosis needs much greater understanding. The purpose of the study is to use a small sample of liver tissue taken when patients with NAFLD have a liver biopsy, separate out the different cell types within the sample and subject the individual cell types to RNA analysis, thereby allowing a full understanding of what proteins specific cells are producing within the liver and allowing a greater knowledge of the interplay between the cell types in this condition in order to direct improved treatments for this condition.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0397
Date of REC Opinion
14 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion