How genetic differences and DNA changes lead to gout
Translational genomics in gout: From GWAS signal to mechanism
This project looks at how inherited genes and DNA-based cell changes make adults with high uric acid more likely to have gout flares.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11191544 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have high uric acid or gout, researchers will use large genetic datasets and laboratory tests on blood and tissue samples to find the exact genes and DNA changes that trigger joint inflammation when urate crystals form. They will focus on long noncoding RNAs and a process called clonal hematopoiesis (CHIP) that can reprogram immune cells to overreact through the NLRP3 inflammasome and release IL-1β. The team will combine genome-wide association signals with epigenetic measurements and cell experiments to trace how a genetic signal becomes a harmful cell response. The work aims to link specific genetic changes to mechanisms that could be turned into diagnostic tests or new therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21+) with high uric acid levels or a history of gout, including patients from diverse racial backgrounds, would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without high uric acid or gout, children under 21, or those unwilling to provide blood/tissue samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify specific genetic and cellular pathways to target for tests or treatments that prevent or reduce gout flares.
How similar studies have performed: Large GWAS and laboratory studies have already linked many genes and epigenetic changes to gout and inflammasome activation, but turning those findings into treatments is still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merriman, Tony R — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Merriman, Tony R
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 below.