Elucidating the role for PTPN2 in chronic inflammatory liver diseases

This project focuses on chronic liver disease with special interest in disease aggravation through gut-barrier defects and bacterial pathogens. Due to the global increase in obesity, the prevalence of the associated fatty liver disease is steadily increasing. The end stage of the disease, liver cirrhosis, significantly increases the risk of developing liver tumors and the mortality of the patients. So far there is no therapy that reverses the cirrhotic remodeling of the liver. Cirrhosis development is triggered by inflammation. Molecular mechanisms that promote inflammation and remodeling of the liver can represent innovative therapeutic targets. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Non-Receptor Type 2 (PTPN2) is extensively studied in our lab. It is involved in immune cell regulation and gut-barrier function. Our projects investigate the role of PTPN2 in causing chronic liver disease in animal models and translational projects.

Bacterial translocation in the gut may lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatic steatosis.