Innate and hormone-driven differences in how tissues remodel their scaffolding
Official title: Innate and Hormone-Mediated Sex Differences in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11386629 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why men and women may repair and regenerate tissues differently, focusing on how hormones influence the extracellular matrix in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 25, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $412,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151127-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386629 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome or related soft tissue injuries, and tissues derived from both sexes may be studied.
✕Less likely to help
People without degenerative tissue injury or carpal tunnel symptoms may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Biological sex may change how tissues respond to injury and repair by altering the extracellular matrix. The study examines how cells sense mechanical signals and how sex hormones regulate matrix production and breakdown. Researchers will use patient-relevant tissue models to explore these pathways and identify factors that could guide personalized regenerative strategies for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to sex-specific approaches for preventing and treating carpal tunnel syndrome and related tissue injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows sex differences in tissue remodeling; this project aims to deepen understanding with human-relevant models.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Connizzo, Brianne Kathryn — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Connizzo, Brianne Kathryn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How Arousal Changes How We See the World
This grant studies how moments of alertness or mood changes alter how the brain processes what we see.
-
NGF Metabolism as a biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
Researchers are studying whether patterns in nerve growth factor pathways in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical stages of Alzheimer's in people with genetic risk.
-
NGF metabolism as an early biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
This project tests whether NGF pathway proteins in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical changes in people with familial Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Ultra-High Density wearable brain monitoring in real life
Aims to make advanced wearable brain sensors that work in daily life to track brain activity alongside movement, perception, and communication.
-
A new method to image brain activity noninvasively using speckle contrast spectroscopy
A new, noninvasive imaging technique called speckle contrast optical spectroscopy (SCOS) could help measure brain blood flow in people, including those with brain injuries or neurodegenerative conditions.
-
NGF Metabolic Dysfunction as a Marker of Cognitive Decline in Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease
This project looks at nerve growth factor pathways in people with a genetic form of Alzheimer's to see if blood and spinal fluid markers can identify early brain changes before symptoms appear.
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.