Research: Liver Research Unit

Our Projects

The Liver Research Centre has three major research themes - liver fibrogenesis, co-toxic liver disease and non-HFE haemochromatosis.

Liver Fibrogenesis:

The ultimate end point of nearly all liver insults is hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis (i.e. liver scarring). Despite recent advances in antiviral therapy, the majority of liver diseases are relentlessly progressive. Therefore, targeting the fibrogenic process to delay disease progression would likely reduce morbidity and mortality from liver disease.  GMRC researchers led by Prof Crawford are investigating potential antifibrotic agents in vitro and in vivo and studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis and reversal of hepatic fibrosis. The ultimate aim of this research is to identify an effective antifibrotic and to conduct a large clinical trial involving human subjects with liver disease.

Co-Toxic Liver Disease:

A major focus of the Liver Research Centres work is the pathophysiological basis of the co-toxic effects of iron, alcohol and steatosis on the liver, and to establish the role that iron plays in accelerating the progression of liver diseases due to alcohol and/or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We have a number of animal models to study the interrelationships between alcohol, high fat diets and iron. The role that iron plays in the progression of advanced liver disease of all aetiologies is also a core area of a study in the centre. We are studying the effects of increased liver iron stores on waiting list mortality and on the natural history of advanced liver disease, hoping ultimately to improve the duration and quality of life of affected patients.

Non-HFE Haemochromatosis:

It is apparent that approximately 5% of patients with hepatic iron overload do not carry either of the conventional HFE mutations. We have studied a number of families and have demonstrated mutations in various genes involved in iron metabolism in most patients. However, there remain a significant number of patients in whom the iron loading disorder is unexplained. We will extend our clinical observations in this field incorporating the use and development of new diagnostic strategies, as well studies of iron biology in animal models of non-HFE haemochromatosis. We aim to become the primary reference centre for non-HFE haemochromatosis in the Asia-Pacific Region.