# Autoimmune Hepatitis: Genetic and Environmental Risks

> **NIH NIH K23** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2020 · $182,737

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The principle genetic and environmental risk factors underlying the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis
(AIH) are not well investigated. Better understanding the explainable risks in AIH is essential to elucidate
disease heterogeneity, predict outcomes, and transition to a model of individualized clinical care. In this career
development application, the candidate is proposing a hypothesis-driven research strategy to address
important knowledge gaps in the field of genetic and environmental risks in AIH. This builds on a recently
completed prospective study of patients with AIH and matched controls funded by an institutional KL2 award.
The specific aims of the research strategy are to (1) develop a large cohort of patients with AIH and matched
controls with detailed assessment of environmental risk factors and linked biologic samples utilizing traditional
and novel recruitment strategies; (2) interrogate selected environmental triggers associated with new onset
AIH; and (3) identify novel disease specific HLA associations and assess for genetic and environmental
interactions. To achieve these aims, the candidate will (1) develop a large cohort of patients with well
phenotyped AIH and matched controls who undergo carefully assessment of environmental risk factors and
provide their genomic DNA; (2) systematically interrogate viral and medication-related environmental triggers
of newly diagnosed AIH patients and two control groups; (3) conduct HLA deep sequencing utilizing the
Illumina MiSeq platform to identify putative HLA-specific associations and perform gene-environment
interaction studies.
The proposed career development plan integrates in-depth mentoring from a multidisciplinary team of senior
scientists, advanced coursework in genomics, genetic and molecular epidemiology, and immunology;
experiential learning through the conduct of the proposed research plan, and a highly supportive research
environment. The mentorship team, which includes independent investigators with expertise in clinical and
translational research in hepatology (Chalasani), immunologic-mediated drug-hypersensitivity and HLA
genetics (Phillips), clinical virology and mentoring (Gupta); epidemiologic data analysis and biostatistics (Gao),
will guide the candidate's research and career development. The superb institutional infrastructure for
facilitating junior investigators and substantial institutional commitment to the candidate greatly strengthen this
application. At the conclusion of this program, the candidate will be well positioned to become an independent
physician-investigator in autoimmune liver diseases and hepatogenomics.!

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9898370
- **Project number:** 5K23DK114561-03
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Craig S Lammert
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $182,737
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-29 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9898370

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9898370, Autoimmune Hepatitis: Genetic and Environmental Risks (5K23DK114561-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9898370. Licensed CC0.

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