Blocking Siglec-15 to help bones heal and stay strong after spinal cord injury
Official title: The Blockade of Siglec-15 as a Novel Approach to Improve Skeletal Integrity and Fracture Healing in Chronic SCI
Funded at James J Peters VA Medical Center · NIH-11306008 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A treatment that blocks Siglec-15 aims to strengthen bones and improve fracture healing for people living with chronic spinal cord injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James J Peters VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004553-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11306008 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with long-standing spinal cord injury who have significant bone loss or a history/high risk of fractures, especially Veterans, would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without spinal cord injury, those with other primary bone diseases not driven by SCI, or individuals with acute (very recent) SCI may not benefit from this specific work.
What this research studies
Researchers will test an antibody that blocks Siglec-15 to see if it prevents the rapid bone loss that follows long-term spinal cord injury and helps fractures heal. The work will use models that mimic paralysis and measure bone strength, structure, and repair over time while monitoring signs relevant to safety. Results will guide whether this approach could move toward trials in people with chronic SCI and support return to upright rehabilitation technologies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower fracture risk and improve healing, making upright rehab and exoskeleton use safer for people with chronic SCI.
How similar studies have gone: This is a relatively new approach that builds on preclinical evidence showing Siglec-15 blockade can limit bone-resorbing cell maturation, but clinical data in people are still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
James J Peters VA Medical Center
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qin, Weiping — James J Peters VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Qin, Weiping
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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.