Mathew Carson, Postdoc in the lab of Dr. Kari Nejak-Bowen, was awarded a $2500.00 pre-pilot & feasibility grant funded by the Pittsburgh Liver Institute to evaluate perturbations in the liver-bone axis secondary to cholestatic liver disease with a focus on primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Title: Evaluating the role of hepatic β-catenin on dysregulated liver-bone signaling in cholestatic liver disease.
Osteoporosis is a frequent comorbidity in patients with cholestatic liver diseases. While lower bone mass has been demonstrated in the Mdr2 knockout model of cholestatic liver disease, the underlying mechanisms causing bone loss remain unclear. Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the liver regulates bile acid and vitamin C metabolism, which have been shown to impact bone cell differentiation and function. Considering knockdown of β-catenin aggravates liver injury in the MDR2 knockout model, we hypothesize that knockout of hepatic β-catenin may exacerbate bone loss attributed in part to changes in circulating bile acids and vitamin C.
The PLRC Pilot & Feasibility program has been quite successful. However, to further strengthen the pool of upcoming candidates and help extend the pipeline for our P&F program to very early stage investigators we are investing institutional funds into Pre-P&F awards like the P3&F (Postdoc Pre-Pilot &Feasibility) award. The PLI will give 2 awards every year for this initiative. For more Information please contact Aaron Bell, bellaaro@pitt.edu.
