Mini-livers reveal secrets of fatty liver disease gene

This study uses tiny, lab-grown liver models (organoids) made from patient cells to understand how a specific gene variant (I148M of PNPLA3) contributes to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious fatty liver disease. Researchers will expose these mini-livers to fatty acids, fructose, and cholesterol to mimic the disease and test potential treatments. The goal is to find new biomarkers and better understand the disease's early steps, not to directly treat participants.