Liver Enzymes in Metabolism and Inflammation Program

Our discoveries indicate that the four enzymes of this family are drivers of liver disease towards liver failure and cancer. Fortunately, enzymes make excellent drug targets and one of the enzymes, named DPP4, is the target of a successful diabetes drug class that our research helped create. Our liver disease research has indicated that this type of drug can also combat fatty liver disease and liver scarring that can lead to cirrhosis and cancer.

We are working towards understanding what makes chronic liver diseases wax and wane, and are learning about the components of tumours that support the cancer cells, called the tumour microenvironment. This work is directed towards discovering new treatment options.

Research overview

Current Projects:

1. DPP4 enzyme activity in blood associates with fatty liver severity in type 2 diabetes and obesity.
2. A drug that inhibits the DPP4 enzyme can increase the numbers of anti-tumour T cells getting into a tumour.
3. The enzyme fibroblast activation protein in humans: Blood serum levels rise with liver fibrosis (scarring) and cirrhosis.
4. How the enzyme fibroblast activation protein works to exacerbate fatty liver.
5. DPP9 functions: What the DPP9 enzyme activity does in liver cancer.

People

Professor Mark Gorrell

Head of Liver Enzymes in Metabolism and Inflammation Program

Collaborators

Australian

Flinders University
Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Monash University
University of Queensland
University of Sydney
University of Technology Sydney
University of Western Australia
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

 

International

Tufts University, USA
University of Edinburgh, UK
University of Freiburg, Germany