IL-17 receptor A and bone health in aging
Role of IL-17 receptor A in aging bone remodeling
Looks at whether blocking a protein called IL-17 receptor A in bone-resorbing cells can help older bones stay stronger and heal better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311364 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're an older person with bone loss or fractures, this research explores whether blocking a protein called IL-17 receptor A in bone-resorbing cells can protect bone and speed healing. Researchers will use mice engineered to lack IL-17ra specifically in osteoclasts and will compare bone mass and fracture repair between young and old animals. The team will measure bone resorption, bone mass, and stages of fracture callus remodeling and study the role of the gene regulator Runx1 in these effects. Findings could point to new targets or approaches to reduce age-related bone loss and improve fracture healing in older adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults with age-related bone loss, osteoporosis, or delayed fracture healing would be the most likely candidates to benefit from these findings.
Not a fit: People with bone problems caused by non-inflammatory genetic disorders, pediatric bone conditions, or issues unrelated to osteoclast-driven resorption may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce bone loss and improve fracture healing in older adults by targeting IL-17 signaling in bone-resorbing cells.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have linked IL-17 to increased bone resorption and preliminary mouse work shows deleting IL-17ra in osteoclasts raises bone mass, but translation to human treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drissi, Moulay Hicham — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Drissi, Moulay Hicham
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.