Acid-sensing GPR68 helps protect joints in osteoarthritis
Official title: Acid Sensing GPR68 Inhibits Joint Inflammation and Progression of Post Traumatic Osteoarthritis
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11450120 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at a specific brain-freeway: an acid-sensing receptor called GPR68, to see if activating it can reduce joint inflammation and slow osteoarthritis in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $528,172 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR086926-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450120 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with osteoarthritis or those at risk, particularly individuals whose joints experience acidic conditions and inflammation.
✕Less likely to help
People without OA or those whose condition does not involve joint acidosis may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Osteoarthritis affects millions and this research explores how acidic conditions inside a joint contribute to disease. The team has identified GPR68 as a key acid-sensing receptor in cartilage and will study its role during acidic stress in OA, using human cartilage cells and mouse models. They will test whether activating GPR68 with a selective compound reduces inflammatory gene activity and protects cartilage, and will examine how loss of GPR68 changes OA progression in animals. The work aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying strategies for OA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce joint inflammation and slow progression of osteoarthritis by targeting acid-sensing pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary results show that activating GPR68 can reduce acidosis-driven inflammation in cartilage in vitro and in animal models, suggesting potential for benefit.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khan, Mohd Nazir — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Khan, Mohd Nazir
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.