Aging mitochondria and inflammation
Official title: Mitochondrial Aging Promotes Inflammation
Funded at Merrimack College · NIH-11123529 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mitochondria-targeted approach is being tested to lower age-related inflammation that can worsen Alzheimer's and other age-related conditions in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Merrimack College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Andover, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $433,949 |
| NIH project number | 2R15AG068957-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123529 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The work is most relevant to older adults and people with early or established Alzheimer's or other age-related inflammatory conditions who might donate samples or later join related clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Younger people without age-related inflammation or those whose cognitive problems are driven by non-inflammatory causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
This project looks at how mitochondria in immune cells change with age and drive inflammatory signals linked to Alzheimer's. Researchers focus on STAT3 moving into mitochondria (mitoSTAT3), which alters mitochondrial structure, complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) activity, and the energy use of aging T cells. They reduce mitoSTAT3 using a mitochondria-targeted inhibitor (Mtcur-1) and genetic methods, then measure mitochondrial function and Th17-related cytokines (IL-17A/F, IL-21, IL-6, TNFα). Experiments use aged immune cells and disease-relevant models to see whether lowering mitoSTAT3 cuts proinflammatory signals tied to age-related diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce harmful age-related inflammation and potentially slow or lessen Alzheimer's-related damage.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown mitoSTAT3 can change mitochondrial function and that mitochondria-targeted inhibitors like Mtcur-1 lower Th17 inflammation, but translation to patients has not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Merrimack College
North Andover, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Panneerseelan-Bharath, Leena — Merrimack College
- Study coordinator: Panneerseelan-Bharath, Leena
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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.