UT Health Newsroom: Study links alcohol-associated liver disease to abnormal cutting and rejoining of molecules
Original story: UT Health San Antonio Newsroom
Splicing deregulation is potential drug target and diagnostic tool
Alcohol consumption is a major cause of chronic liver disease. The disease, which has devastating consequences, progresses through stages of hepatitis (inflammation), fibrosis (scarring) and cirrhosis (severe scarring). Advanced disease increases the risk of developing liver cancer, and some individuals may require a liver transplant to live.
Despite a tremendous need for new treatments, the specific biological factors that determine when and how rapidly liver cells deteriorate remain largely unknown.
In a study published May 3 in the journal Hepatology, a research team at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) shines light on the disease process, including a possible therapeutic approach for combating alcohol-associated liver disease.
Story continues: