Block inflammation in the knee to prevent post-traumatic osteoarthritis
Official title: Achieving Sustained Control of Inflammation to Prevent Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA)
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11317226 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to slow or stop knee joint damage after an injury by blocking a key inflammatory pathway in the joint.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003988-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11317226 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with a recent knee injury at risk of PTOA, such as service members or Veterans with joint trauma.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a recent knee injury or PTOA risk may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on preventing post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis by targeting inflammation right after an injury. It tests a new approach that blocks a specific inflammation signal (CD14/TLR) inside the joint and studies how well this can stop cartilage damage and decline in function. Researchers will use animal models that resemble human knee injuries, including a large-animal mini-pig model, to optimize a treatment injected into the joint. The goal is to translate these findings toward preserving joint health for service members and Veterans who experience knee injuries. If successful, this work could lead to a disease-modifying option after knee trauma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients who suffer knee injuries could retain better joint function and have a lower risk of developing PTOA.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data in mice suggest that blocking CD14 reduces inflammation and cartilage damage, supporting a potential benefit in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scanzello, Carla Rose — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Scanzello, Carla Rose
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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.