How nerve–immune signals cause autoimmune pain after injury
Neural immunoregulation of post-traumatic autoimmunity
['FUNDING_R01'] · PALO ALTO VETERANS INSTIT FOR RESEARCH · NIH-11145055
Looks at whether nerve-driven immune reactions and antibodies cause long-lasting pain after injuries in people with conditions like CRPS, chronic low back pain, or osteoarthritis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | PALO ALTO VETERANS INSTIT FOR RESEARCH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PALO ALTO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11145055 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers compare blood and tissue findings from people with post-injury chronic pain to experiments in mice to learn how antibodies, complement, and immune cells cause pain. They measure IgM autoantibodies found in patients, study C5a complement signaling and activation of macrophages and microglia, and track how neuropeptide and sympathetic (adrenergic) signals promote antibody accumulation. In mice they use passive transfer and genetically modified animals to test whether blocking these immune pathways reduces pain. Results will guide whether treatments that block antibodies or complement might relieve chronic post-traumatic pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic post-traumatic pain such as complex regional pain syndrome, long-standing low back pain, or osteoarthritis who can provide blood or other samples and are willing to attend study visits.
Not a fit: Patients whose pain is clearly caused by active infection, cancer, or purely structural problems unlikely to involve immune or antibody mechanisms may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that block harmful antibodies or complement signaling to reduce chronic post-injury pain.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work identified IgM autoantibodies in CRPS patients and showed immune/complement-driven pain in mouse models, but translating these findings into human treatments remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
PALO ALTO, UNITED STATES
- PALO ALTO VETERANS INSTIT FOR RESEARCH — PALO ALTO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KINGERY, WADE S — PALO ALTO VETERANS INSTIT FOR RESEARCH
- Study coordinator: KINGERY, WADE S
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.
Conditions: Autoimmune Diseases