# The Saint Louis University Component of the NASH Clinical Research Network

> **NIH NIH U01** · SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $250,001

## Abstract

Abstract
This application is for the renewal of the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN)
clinical center at Saint Louis University and its pediatric component at Baylor University. The NASH Clinical
Research Network (NASH CRN) has been sponsored by the NIDDK since 2002 with renewals in 2009, 2014
and 2019. Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, previously called NAFLD) affects
more than one out of three adults and one out of five children the U.S. MASLD, and especially its most severe
subset, metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH, previously called NASH), may lead to
cirrhosis and primary liver cancer resulting in death or liver transplant which contributes to substantial health
burdens and costs. The NASH CRN has been ideally and uniquely positioned to impact the growing public
health significance of MASH that can only be addressed via a large research consortium. A primary objective
of the NASH CRN has been to perform clinical trials of therapeutic agents for MASH in adults and children. A
closely linked and high priority secondary objective is to conduct translational research in MASH and MASLD
focusing on the pathogenesis that will provide the basis for understanding the natural history and developing
better means of diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and clinical management. In this final phase of the NASH
CRN, the adult vitamin E dosing trial (VEDS) initiated during the previous funding cycle will be completed. The
longitudinal cohort Database-3 study of adults and children with MASLD will be wrapped up with closeout visits
in year 1 to provide a unique repository of data and samples from a well-phenotyped cohort that can be used in
future studies to prospectively define the natural history of the disease, the cardiovascular and metabolic risk
factors, aid in biomarker discovery and validation to identify patients with at-risk MASH (MASH and at least
stage 2 fibrosis) and identify factors affecting disease progression. The Saint Louis University Clinical Center of
the NASH CRN will work collaboratively with the other clinical centers, SDCC and NIDDK to prioritize and
conduct studies of existing datasets over the final three years of funding. Proposed in this application is a
project for consideration that focuses on the role of the PNPLA3 I148M variant in sequestering and inactivating
a protein called ABHD5 or CGI58. Human variants of this protein are associated with progressive liver disease
and suppressed expression of this protein in rodents causes steatohepatitis. The underlying hypothesis is that
basis for the PNPLA3 I148M variant contributing to progressive liver disease is its role of ABHD5/CGI-58
sequestration rather than its putative role in lipid droplet triglyceride turnover. Whether this project is pursued
or other projects are given higher priority, the Saint Louis University clinical center will fully support the decision
of the steering committee with inpu...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10983688
- **Project number:** 2U01DK061718-23
- **Recipient organization:** SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** BRENT A NEUSCHWANDER-TETRI
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $250,001
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2002-05-20 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10983688

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10983688, The Saint Louis University Component of the NASH Clinical Research Network (2U01DK061718-23). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10983688. Licensed CC0.

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