How past high blood sugar affects immune reactions to pelvic mesh
Impact of hyperglycemic memory on innate immune response to urogynecologic mesh
This project looks at whether past periods of high blood sugar cause lasting immune changes that make women with diabetes more likely to have complications from pelvic mesh implants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11329247 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study whether episodes of high blood sugar leave epigenetic marks in bone marrow progenitor cells that change how immune cells react to implanted pelvic mesh. Using animal models and laboratory analysis of bone marrow-derived cells, they will examine DNA methylation patterns and macrophage function at the mesh-tissue interface. The team will apply bisulfite-based sequencing and immune assays to trace how bone marrow changes lead to tissue inflammation and mesh exposure or pain. Results will point to biological mechanisms that could be targeted to reduce mesh-related complications in women with diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult women with diabetes who have had or are considering pelvic mesh for stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.
Not a fit: Women without diabetes or those who will not receive pelvic mesh are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biological causes of mesh complications in women with diabetes and suggest new ways to prevent or treat those problems.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary animal data from the team indicate hyperglycemia can harm the vaginal immune response to mesh, but linking hyperglycemic memory via epigenetic marks to mesh outcomes is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liang, Rui — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Liang, Rui
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.