# Role of Lipid Metabolism in Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Steatotic Livers

> **NIH NIH K08** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $160,871

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This proposal describes a 3-year plan to prepare Dr. Kim Liss, MD, for independence as a physician scientist,
studying the role of lipid metabolism in ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) in steatotic livers. During her Pediatric
Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Liss
undertook research training in Dr. Brian Finck’s laboratory, where she demonstrated that steatosis significantly
worsens hepatic IRI in an experimental model. She also found that manipulation of a single lipid synthesis
pathway has far-reaching effects on inflammation, cell death, and regeneration in the liver. She extended these
findings and found alterations in multiple lipid metabolic pathways and macrophage subpopulations in
response to IRI. These findings serve as the basis for her proposal.
 Washington University School of Medicine is an outstanding environment for Dr. Liss to further her
research training, with its longstanding history of NIH-funded research, breadth and depth of resources, and,
most importantly, commitment to launching young investigators. There is constant crosstalk between
departments and research groups. Dr. Liss’ mentoring committee and collaborators have expertise spanning
Pediatrics, Medicine, Surgery, Chemistry, Immunology, and Developmental Biology. Dr. Finck is a well-suited
primary mentor because he is a leader in the field of intermediary metabolism and has an established record of
training young scientists during their transition to independence. Furthermore, the Finck laboratory is a hub of
intellectual energy with its trainees working on a broad range of inter-related projects. Dr. Liss will have
abundant opportunities to present her work within Washington University and the wider scientific community.
Her mentor team has complementary skills, and her Division and Department are highly supportive of her
goals. She will take graduate classes to enhance her knowledge of metabolomics, genomics, and
bioinformatics, and develop technical skills with her mentors and collaborators. At award conclusion, she will
have acquired the knowledge and skills to become an independent physician scientist with special expertise in
hepatic steatosis relevant to liver transplant care.
 In parallel to pursuing her structured career development plans, Dr. Liss will accomplish her proposed
Aims: 1) determine how adipose tissue lipolysis interacts with the liver in the context of hepatic IRI, and 2)
define changes to the hepatic lipidome that determine the macrophage landscape in hepatic IRI. Using
advanced multi-omics approaches, Dr. Liss strives to develop an integrated understanding of the factors that
contribute to IRI and recovery. Her work will fill the void in our understanding of the pathobiologic mechanisms
underlying IRI in steatotic livers, a condition that limits organ use, and threatens graft function. The efforts
described in this proposal will prompt novel interventions to in...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10831063
- **Project number:** 5K08DK131255-02
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kim Hung Ho Liss
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $160,871
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10831063

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10831063, Role of Lipid Metabolism in Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Steatotic Livers (5K08DK131255-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10831063. Licensed CC0.

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