How nerves help bones grow and heal
Neuronal Regulation of Skeletal Development and Repair
This project looks at how sensory nerve signals influence bone growth and repair to help people with bone injuries and bone diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161155 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers study how sensory nerve fibers and their signals guide blood vessel growth and bone formation in developing bones and skulls using animal models and laboratory cell systems. They focus on nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor TrkA, blocking these signals to see how reduced nerve ingrowth changes bone development and healing. In lab microfluidic experiments they watch nerve fibers interact with mesenchymal progenitor cells and have identified a nerve-derived protein, FSTL1, that seems to boost progenitor cell growth but slow their full bone maturation. The program uses these preclinical approaches to map nerve–bone communication that could point toward new treatments for poor bone healing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with bone injuries, fractures that heal poorly, cranial suture problems, or other bone repair disorders would be the most relevant patient group for future therapies arising from this work.
Not a fit: People without bone-related conditions or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this preclinical research at this time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that improve bone repair or prevent abnormal bone formation by targeting nerve-derived signals.
How similar studies have performed: Animal and preclinical studies have previously shown NGF–TrkA signaling affects blood vessel and bone growth, so the approach is supported by existing preclinical evidence but remains largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clemens, Thomas L — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Clemens, Thomas L
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.