How low polyamine production may cause bone loss in chronic kidney disease
Official title: Role of disrupted polyamine synthesis during CKD-MBD related bone loss
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11234288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether reduced polyamines (spermine/spermidine) help explain bone weakness in people with chronic kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $402,119 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK130866-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11234288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with chronic kidney disease who have low bone density, a history of fractures, or who are willing to donate bone or blood samples for research would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without CKD or whose bone problems are caused by unrelated conditions (for example, long-term steroid use or primary bone diseases) are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying why people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develop fragile bones by looking at how iron handling and polyamine production affect bone-forming cells. They use a mouse model of kidney failure that reproduces bone changes seen in people with CKD and compare those findings with patient-derived samples and measurements. The team measures levels of spermine and spermidine, examines osteoblast differentiation and bone structure, and links those changes to iron deficiency. They will test whether restoring polyamine pathways can prevent bone loss in the models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect bone strength and reduce fractures in people with CKD by targeting polyamine or iron-related pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cell and animal studies show iron deficiency and low spermine impair bone formation and CKD patients have been observed to have reduced spermine, but translating polyamine-targeted approaches into treatments for CKD-MBD is a novel direction.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clinkenbeard, Erica L — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Clinkenbeard, Erica L
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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.