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Dr.
Olthoff's current laboratory research involves
both basic science studies and human translational research
and focuses on ischemic injury and regeneration after
liver transplantation as outlined below:
1. Animal studies
- Early gene expression
in the liver graft after reperfusion - use of cDNA
microarray, RNA protection assays, and multimeric
RT-PCR technology.
- Partial liver grafts and
tolerance for ischemic injury - determining minimal
liver volume and molecular events in the development
of “small-for-size” syndrome.
- Role of IL-6 and IGFBP-1
as critical growth factors in liver regeneration and
the interplay between hepatic growth and metabolism.
- Effect of immunosuppressive
therapy on recovery from ischemia/reperfusion (IR)
injury, such as glucocorticoids and sirolimus.
- Gene therapy to modulate
IR injury and enhance regeneration.
2. Human studies
- Regeneration and assessment
of liver function in donors and recipients following
partial hepatectomy and living donor transplantation
using molecular techniques, as part of a multicenter
NIH cohort study
- Differential gene expression
in liver biopsies obtained post reperfusion, determining
prognostic indicators of graft function.
These lines of investigation are
funded by NIH grants and the Biesecker Center for Pediatric
Liver Disease. The laboratory personnel have published
in top-ranked journals such as Nature Medicine, Hepatology,
and Transplantation.
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