The overarching aims of this Center are to help advance the clinical, research, and educational goals of the ChiLDReN grant with a particular emphasis on engaging cutting-edge genome studies as a basis for discovery, innovation, and improvements in outcomes and care. As such, the aims of this application are not only to provide comprehensive research opportunities for all children who fit enrollment criteria for ChiLDReN throughout the Southeastern US, but to embark upon 1 pilot clinical trial and 2 genomically-centered Translational Aims:
Aim 1 : Continued robust Clinical Center participation in all aspects of ChiLDReN. This site is one of the largest enrollers in all ChiLDReN studies, the only ChiLDReN site in the SouthEast, and we have the infrastructure to continue, and likely expand our ability to successfully enroll and retain participants.
Aim 2 : Open label safety and tolerability trial of an ASBT inhibitor in biliary atresia (BA). There are no treatments that improve the outcome of Kasai Portoenterostomy (KPE) in children with BA. A central pathophysiological exacerbant of liver disease in BA is intrahepatic retention of bile acids. We will build upon pre-clinical and exisiting safety data to perform a Phase 2a open label pilot trial of use of an ASBT inhibitor (ASBTi) in 20 BA participants for 18 months, starting soon after KPE. This reduction in hepatic bile acid accumulation is expected to improve the response to KPE, and inform a followup Phase 2b randomized placebo-controlled study in the ChiLDReN network.
Aim 3 : Discovery and validation of genetic causes of BASM. A major translational component of the recent cycle of ChiLDReN support has been a focus upon utilization of modern genomic technologies. Specifically, we have begun to test the paradigm-changing hypothesis that there is a genetic etiology for BA with splenic malformation syndrome (BASM), that subgroup of patients that present with developmental laterality defects. A first candidate gene has been identified, but additional genetic and lab-based validations are needed. A coordinated approach with cell culture and development of up to 5 CRISPR-based flox'd mouse lines will accelerate first-step discoveries and provide a reagent base for the research community at large.
Aim 4 : Discovery of genomic and environmental (exposomic) contributors to pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). A recently funded multi- center study of Adult PSC (RC2 DK118619; Lazaridis PI) involves integrating clinical data with genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic, microbial, and environmental (exposome) analyses to identify causes and contributors to the progression of PSC. We will synergize the existing analytics of the RC2 (including the Emory-based HERCULES omics center) paired with the biospecimen and clinical data collected in the newly- developed pediatric PSC observational study.

Public Health Relevance

With ongoing involvement of this active Center, we will continue to contribute to the achievement of all the goals of ChiLDReN, arguably the most robust and feasible means to make a difference for children with cholestatic liver diseases ever developed. This CC's participation expects to provide continued high enrollment, act upon novel studies on genetic determinants of the causes and progression of pediatric liver diseases, and develop investigations of a new anti-cholestatic and anti-fibrotic therapeutics.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01DK062470-17
Application #
10020922
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1)
Program Officer
Doo, Edward
Project Start
2005-03-07
Project End
2024-05-31
Budget Start
2020-06-01
Budget End
2021-05-31
Support Year
17
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Loomes, Kathleen M; Spino, Cathie; Goodrich, Nathan P et al. (2018) Bone Density in Children With Chronic Liver Disease Correlates With Growth and Cholestasis. Hepatology :
Ng, Vicky L; Sorensen, Lisa G; Alonso, Estella M et al. (2018) Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Young Children with Biliary Atresia and Native Liver: Results from the ChiLDReN Study. J Pediatr 196:139-147.e3
Alonso, Estella M; Ye, Wen; Hawthorne, Kieran et al. (2018) Impact of Steroid Therapy on Early Growth in Infants with Biliary Atresia: The Multicenter Steroids in Biliary Atresia Randomized Trial. J Pediatr 202:179-185.e4
Bezerra, Jorge A; Wells, Rebecca G; Mack, Cara L et al. (2018) BILIARY ATRESIA: Clinical and Research Challenges for the 21st Century. Hepatology :
Shneider, Benjamin L; Magee, John C; Karpen, Saul J et al. (2016) Total Serum Bilirubin within 3 Months of Hepatoportoenterostomy Predicts Short-Term Outcomes in Biliary Atresia. J Pediatr 170:211-7.e1-2
Russo, Pierre; Magee, John C; Anders, Robert A et al. (2016) Key Histopathologic Features of Liver Biopsies That Distinguish Biliary Atresia From Other Causes of Infantile Cholestasis and Their Correlation With Outcome: A Multicenter Study. Am J Surg Pathol 40:1601-1615
Ye, Wen; Rosenthal, Philip; Magee, John C et al. (2015) Factors Determining ?-Bilirubin Levels in Infants With Biliary Atresia. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 60:659-63
Teckman, Jeffrey H; Rosenthal, Philip; Abel, Robert et al. (2015) Baseline Analysis of a Young ?-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency Liver Disease Cohort Reveals Frequent Portal Hypertension. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 61:94-101
Kamath, Binita M; Chen, Zhen; Romero, Rene et al. (2015) Quality of Life and Its Determinants in a Multicenter Cohort of Children with Alagille Syndrome. J Pediatr 167:390-6.e3
Bezerra, Jorge A; Spino, Cathie; Magee, John C et al. (2014) Use of corticosteroids after hepatoportoenterostomy for bile drainage in infants with biliary atresia: the START randomized clinical trial. JAMA 311:1750-9

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