GLYCELL (GLYcan-mediated CELL crosstalk in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) will investigate the role of protein glycans in hepatic intercellular communication and local immune responses during metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) progression. The main objectives will be to 1.) perform in depth (spatial) mapping of hepatocyte/liver glycoproteome in histologically-characterized cohorts of MASLD patients, 2.) generate a diversity of glycan motifs in human hepatocytes through (bio)chemical editing of existing glycans and/or genetic manipulation of the glycosylation machinery, and 3.) assess the functional consequences of hepatocyte cell-surface glycan alterations on the crosstalk with Kupffer cells and stellate cells. This translational project at the interface of glycobiology and immunometabolism - involving other LUCID-R members (Annie Yang, Ron Hokke) - will allow to establish novel human in vitro 2D/3D models instrumental for future studies focusing on host-pathogen interactions in the liver microenvironment.
GLYCELL project awarded ZonMW Open Competition
The GLYCELL project led by Bruno Guigas (LUCID-R), in collaboration with Noortje de Haan (LUMC, CPM) and Onno Holleboom (AUMC), is one of the 31 research projects awarded this year for the ZonMW Open Competition program, with approximately €900,000 allocated to LUMC.
Groups:
Systemic immunometabolism