How maternal obesity affects joint health in offspring
Official title: The role of maternal obesity in osteoarthritis
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11061825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being overweight during pregnancy might affect the chances of kids developing joint problems like osteoarthritis later in life, using animal models to understand the changes that happen in their genes and health during pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $128,084 |
| NIH project number | 5K01AR079045-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a family history of osteoarthritis or those who have been exposed to maternal obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a familial link to osteoarthritis or who were not affected by maternal obesity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal obesity on the risk of osteoarthritis (OA) in their children. It utilizes animal models to explore how a high-fat diet rich in n-6 fatty acids during pregnancy can alter the genetic and epigenetic factors that influence joint health. By employing advanced techniques like chromatin profiling and transcriptomic analysis, the study aims to identify critical developmental periods when exposure to maternal obesity may increase OA severity in offspring. The findings could lead to a better understanding of how maternal health influences the long-term joint health of children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing osteoarthritis in individuals whose mothers were obese during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between maternal health and offspring diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oestreich, Arin Kettle — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Oestreich, Arin Kettle
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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.