Dendrimer-delivered therapy to slow age-related muscle loss
Official title: Macrophage-targeted dendrimer 2-PMPA for the treatment of age-related sarcopenia
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11372120 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses a targeted drug delivery to protect muscles and nerve connections in older adults with age-related muscle loss.
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 start | August 15, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $551,536 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG078181-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372120 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be older adults with signs of age-related muscle loss or weakness, especially those aged 65 and older.
✕Less likely to help
People whose muscle wasting is caused by genetic neuromuscular diseases, active cancer, or recent severe injury may not benefit from this targeted anti-inflammatory approach.
What this research studies
Researchers found an enzyme (GCPII) that rises in immune cells called macrophages inside aging muscle and appears to drive nerve and muscle damage. They attach a potent inhibitor drug (2-PMPA) to tiny nanoparticle carriers called hydroxyl-dendrimers so the drug is taken up and retained by activated immune cells in affected muscle. In animal tests this targeted approach reduced inflammation and helped preserve neuromuscular junctions, muscle size, and function. The team is optimizing the drug–carrier design and testing delivery, safety, and durability to move this toward a treatment for people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could slow or prevent age-related muscle loss and help preserve strength and mobility.
How similar studies have gone: Similar dendrimer-targeted therapies and GCPII inhibition have shown promising results in animal models, but human trials have not yet been done.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slusher, Barbara Stauch — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Slusher, Barbara Stauch
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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.