DNMT3A as a Target to Protect Hip Joints in Osteoarthritis
Official title: DNMT3A as an Epigenetic Transcriptional Therapeutic Target in the Progression of Hip Osteoarthritis
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11346619 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly study aims to see if turning down a specific gene pathway can slow cartilage damage in people with femoroacetabular impingement and early hip OA.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $676,210 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR087597-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11346619 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with FAI or early hip OA who are undergoing or have access to cartilage tissue samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without FAI or OA or without access to relevant cartilage samples may not benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how a gene called DNMT3A influences cartilage breakdown in the hip. Researchers will test whether using a tiny genetic silencing tool (siRNA) can boost a protective gene (PPARγ) and reduce inflammation-driven damage in cartilage cells from healthy donors and patients with FAI or OA. The work involves lab experiments on human cartilage cells to see how the DNMT3A pathway affects cartilage health. If successful, this could point toward a new approach to delay or prevent OA progression in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, it could lead to new therapies that protect hip cartilage and slow OA progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests DNMT3A and PPARγ interactions influence cartilage health, with potential for translational therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pascual-Garrido, Cecilia — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Pascual-Garrido, Cecilia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding hip osteoarthritis risk from hip shapes and genetics
Researchers will look at how the shape of the hip and genetics influence the chances of developing hip OA and needing joint replacement, using AI to study large patient data.
-
Bone-anchored (osseointegrated) prostheses and hip arthritis after above-knee amputation
This project compares bone-anchored (osseointegrated) prostheses with traditional socket prostheses to understand their effects on hip arthritis in people with transfemoral (above-knee) amputations.
-
Impact of bone-anchored prostheses on hip arthritis in amputees
This study is looking at how different types of leg prosthetics, one that connects directly to the bone and another that uses a socket, might affect the health of your hip joint if you've lost a leg, to help find better options for amputees.
-
Understanding how hip muscle problems affect exercise in people with hip osteoarthritis
This study is looking at how problems with hip muscles affect exercise for people with hip osteoarthritis, so we can help create better workout plans that make it easier for you to stay active and feel better.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
-
Identifying OA subtypes and early warning signs before joint damage
This grant asks researchers to find early, invisible clues of osteoarthritis subtypes so we can target treatments before joints are damaged.
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.