How immune cells affect pain from herniated discs
Deciphering Macrophage Phenotype and Function in Disc Herniation and associated Back/leg Pain
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · NIH-11251540
This research looks at how certain immune cells called macrophages change around herniated discs and how those changes may cause back and leg pain.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11251540 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You will be hearing about work that focuses on immune cells called macrophages that invade herniated discs and may drive inflammation and pain. Researchers will track how these cells change over time, identify different macrophage subgroups, and study the signals they send to disc tissue. They will use lab models and tissue analyses to test whether changing macrophage behavior can reduce inflammation and pain. Findings are meant to point toward more targeted ways to limit harmful inflammation and help discs heal.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future participation would be people with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation and related back and/or leg pain who may be willing to donate tissue or join clinical follow-up studies.
Not a fit: People whose pain is caused by non-disc issues (for example muscle strain or osteoarthritis) or those without symptoms are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce inflammation and pain from herniated discs by targeting harmful macrophage types.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked macrophages to disc inflammation and pain, but this project uses newer methods to define specific macrophage subtypes and their roles, addressing gaps in understanding.
Where this research is happening
CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA — CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LI, XUDONG J. — UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- Study coordinator: LI, XUDONG J.
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.