Fibro-adipogenic progenitors and scar tissue in skeletal muscle fibrosis
Official title: Interdependency of fibroadipogenic progenitors and extracellular matrix that drive skeletal muscle fibrosis
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11520826 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at UC Davis explores how scar-forming cells and the muscle’s surroundings affect fibrosis and how this could impact future therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $72,326 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AR079545-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520826 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include people with muscular dystrophy or other fibrotic muscle conditions who may benefit from therapies targeting the muscle’s fibrotic environment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without fibrotic muscle disease or without involvement of the musculoskeletal fibrosis pathway may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Fibrosis makes muscles stiff and weak by building up scar-like tissue. The project looks at how fibro-adipogenic progenitors interact with the surrounding extracellular matrix to shape fibrosis and how this environment affects muscle stem cells’ ability to repair tissue. It also examines whether fibrosis could hinder promising gene therapies for muscular dystrophy. By uncovering the communication between these cells and their matrix, the research aims to identify new ways to reduce scarring and improve healing. This work could inform the development of anti-fibrotic treatments and the design of better gene therapies for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to better strategies to prevent or reduce muscle fibrosis, potentially improving mobility and response to therapies for patients with muscular dystrophy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that the muscle scar environment influences healing and gene therapy effectiveness, but this project aims to reveal specific fibro-adipogenic progenitor and matrix interactions that drive fibrosis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Lucas R — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Smith, Lucas R
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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.