Molecular Characterization of Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Lipidomic Approach (AIH-LIPID)
Molecular Characterization of Autoimmune Hepatitis Through Lipidomic Analysis and Extracellular Vesicle Profiling: A Controlled Pilot Clinical Study
調査の概要
状態
詳細な説明
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease characterized by high serum levels of transaminases and IgG immunoglobulins, presence of organ-specific and non-organ-specific autoantibodies, and interface hepatitis at histopathology. Two distinct types are recognized: AIH type 1, associated with anti-smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) and/or antinuclear antibodies (ANA); and AIH type 2, associated with anti-liver-kidney microsome type 1 (anti-LKM-1) and/or anti-liver cytosol type 1 (anti-LC-1) antibodies.
AIH presents a heterogeneous clinical picture driven by immune dysregulation involving B and T lymphocytes and macrophages. The autoimmune response is initiated by T lymphocyte recognition of self-antigens presented by MHC molecules, leading to differentiation into Th1, Th2, or Th17 cells that mediate hepatic damage.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently been implicated in AIH pathogenesis, acting as mediators of intercellular communication. EVs can carry autoantigens, signaling molecules, lipids, and nucleic acids, modulating immune responses and potentially facilitating immune tolerance disruption. In AIH, EVs may vehicle hepatic autoantigens and modulate immune cell activity in the liver.
No specific biomarkers currently exist that reliably distinguish AIH from other hepatic conditions, including NAFLD/MASLD, with which it is frequently associated due to overlapping metabolic alterations. A lipidomic approach is therefore proposed to identify specific lipid profiles associated with AIH.
Lipidomic analysis will be performed on red blood cell membranes and serum of both study arms. Extracted fatty acids will be derivatized and analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID), compared against the FAME Mix-37 chromatogram. EVs isolated from serum will be further characterized for potential use as biocompatible nanovectors for immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drug delivery.
研究の種類
入学 (推定)
連絡先と場所
研究連絡先
- 名前:Maria Notarnicola, biologyst
- 電話番号:+39 0804994623
- メール:maria.notarnicola@irccsdebellis.it
研究連絡先のバックアップ
- 名前:Valentina De Nunzio
- 電話番号:+39 0804994623
- メール:valentina.denunzio@irccsdebellis.it
研究場所
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Bari
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Castellana Grotte、Bari、イタリア、70013
- IRCCS "S. de Bellis" - Nutritional Biochemistry Lab
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コンタクト:
- Maria Notarnicola, Biologyst
- 電話番号:0804994623
- メール:maria.notarnicola@irccsdebellis.it
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コンタクト:
- Valentina De Nunzio
- 電話番号:0804994623
- メール:valentina.denunzio@irccsdebellis.it
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主任研究者:
- Maria Notarnicola
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副調査官:
- Emanuela Aloisio Caruso
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副調査官:
- Valentina De Nunzio
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副調査官:
- Giuliano Pinto
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副調査官:
- Angela Tafaro
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副調査官:
- Maria Principia Scavo
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副調査官:
- Raffaele Cozzolongo
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副調査官:
- Endrit Shahini
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副調査官:
- Pasqua Letizia Pesole
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参加基準
適格基準
就学可能な年齢
- 大人
- 高齢者
健康ボランティアの受け入れ
サンプリング方法
調査対象母集団
説明
Inclusion Criteria:
ARM A:
- Confirmed diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH);
- Adult age (≥18 years);
- Ability to provide written informed consent; Attending the Hepatology Outpatient Unit of IRCCS "S. de Bellis"
ARM B:
Exclusion Criteria:
- Confirmed diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD);
- Adult age (≥18 years);
- Ability to provide written informed consent; Attending the Hepatology Outpatient Unit of IRCCS "S. de Bellis"
Esclusion Criteria:
- Liver cirrhosis;
- Active oncological diseases;
- Viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV, HIV infection);
- Severe medical conditions that may compromise study participation
研究計画
研究はどのように設計されていますか?
デザインの詳細
コホートと介入
グループ/コホート |
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Arm A - Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH)
12 adult outpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), attending the Hepatology Outpatient Unit (UOSD Epatopatie) of IRCCS "S. de Bellis".
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Arm B - Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
12 adult outpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), attending the Hepatology Outpatient Unit (UOSD Epatopatie) of IRCCS "S. de Bellis".
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この研究は何を測定していますか?
主要な結果の測定
結果測定 |
メジャーの説明 |
時間枠 |
|---|---|---|
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Lipidomic profile
時間枠:At enrollment (single time point - baseline blood draw)
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Identification of specific lipid profiles (fatty acid composition) on red blood cell membranes and serum associated with AIH compared to NAFLD, assessed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID).
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At enrollment (single time point - baseline blood draw)
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二次結果の測定
結果測定 |
メジャーの説明 |
時間枠 |
|---|---|---|
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Number and size distribution of serum-derived extracellular vesicles assessed by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA)
時間枠:At enrollment (single time point - baseline blood draw)
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Isolation and characterization of EVs from patient serum to evaluate their use as biocompatible nanovectors for immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory drug delivery
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At enrollment (single time point - baseline blood draw)
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Concentration of serum lipidomic and biochemical biomarkers for AIH diagnosis assessed by integrated lipidomic and biochemical analysis
時間枠:At enrollment (single time point - baseline blood draw)
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Identification of molecular biomarkers for early and accurate AIH diagnosis through integrated lipidomic and biochemical analysis
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At enrollment (single time point - baseline blood draw)
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Expression profile of EV-associated proteins and miRNAs involved in AIH pathogenesis assessed by proteomic and transcriptomic analysis
時間枠:At enrollment (single time point - baseline blood draw)
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Identification of molecular pathways involved in AIH pathogenesis through EV characterization
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At enrollment (single time point - baseline blood draw)
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協力者と研究者
出版物と役立つリンク
一般刊行物
- Muratori L, Lohse AW, Lenzi M. Diagnosis and management of autoimmune hepatitis. BMJ. 2023 Feb 6;380:e070201. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2022-070201.
- Nishikawa H, Kim SK, Asai A. Autoimmune Hepatitis and Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Japan. J Clin Med. 2025 Jun 25;14(13):4514. doi: 10.3390/jcm14134514.
- Longhi MS, Zhang L, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D. Can we cure autoimmune hepatitis? Curr Opin Immunol. 2025 Oct;96:102609. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2025.102609. Epub 2025 Jul 14.
研究記録日
主要日程の研究
研究開始 (推定)
一次修了 (推定)
研究の完了 (推定)
試験登録日
最初に提出
QC基準を満たした最初の提出物
最初の投稿 (実際)
学習記録の更新
投稿された最後の更新 (実際)
QC基準を満たした最後の更新が送信されました
最終確認日
詳しくは
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