Injectable lubricating microgels that slowly release platelet-rich plasma for post‑traumatic knee osteoarthritis
Official title: Development of Injectable Super-Lubricious Microgels for Sustained Release of Platelet-Rich Plasma to Treat Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-11321545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Tiny injectable gel beads that slowly release platelet-rich plasma are designed to reduce inflammation and protect knees after injury in people with post‑traumatic osteoarthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | May 10, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $429,730 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081270-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11321545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with post‑traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee who have ongoing pain and cartilage damage after an injury but are not yet at the point of needing total joint replacement.
✕Less likely to help
People with end-stage osteoarthritis who already require total joint replacement, or those with joint problems unrelated to post‑traumatic OA, are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
You would get an injection of tiny, slippery polyethylene glycol microspheres into the knee that hold platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The gels are made to resist being washed away by joint fluid so they slowly release the PRP's healing proteins over time. Researchers will test the beads' durability, how long they release PRP, and whether they reduce inflammation and protect cartilage in lab and animal studies before any human testing. If preclinical results are promising, the team would plan future clinical trials to see if the approach helps people avoid surgery or get longer‑lasting relief.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide longer-lasting pain relief and protect knee cartilage after injury, potentially delaying or reducing the need for joint replacement.
How similar studies have gone: PRP injections alone have shown mixed results in patients, and using long‑lasting lubricious microgels to protect and slowly release PRP is a newer strategy that is largely at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zustiak, Silviya Petrova — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Zustiak, Silviya Petrova
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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.