Age-related immune changes that drive bone loss and joint inflammation
Sialylation of TLR2 Induces Osteoclast Fusion and Th 17 differentiation During Aging
This project looks at how age-related sugar changes on an immune receptor (TLR2) may cause bone-eating cells to merge and boost inflammatory cells in older adults with arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11305310 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will study how a sugar change called sialylation on your immune receptor TLR2 may cause precursor bone cells to fuse into large bone-eating osteoclasts and encourage inflammatory Th17 cells. They will examine blood and tissue samples and use lab-grown human cells and animal models to follow the enzymes (like ST3Gal1) and receptors (like Siglec15) that control this process. The team aims to map the steps that link increased sialylation with aging to joint bone loss and pain. This work could point to new targets for drugs that slow bone loss and reduce arthritis-related joint degeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with rheumatoid arthritis or age-related joint degeneration who are willing to provide blood or tissue samples would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People whose joint problems are not driven by osteoclast-mediated bone loss or who need immediate clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-centered research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce harmful osteoclast fusion, slow age-related bone loss, and lessen joint pain for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked Siglec15 and sialylation to osteoclast activity, but the specific pathway of TLR2 sialylation driving osteoclast fusion and Th17 inflammation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cao, Xu — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Cao, Xu
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 below.