Investigating a genetic cause of joint disease in children
Official title: WISP3 and Progressive Pseudorheumatoid Arthropathy of Childhood
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11175145 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a painful joint disease in kids called Progressive Pseudorheumatoid Arthropathy of Childhood (PPAC) by using specially modified sheep to learn more about it, with the hope of finding better treatments for children who have this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $122,284 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AR084685-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11175145 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with Progressive Pseudorheumatoid Arthropathy of Childhood or those showing symptoms of joint pain and degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with joint diseases unrelated to WISP3 deficiency or those outside the pediatric age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Progressive Pseudorheumatoid Arthropathy of Childhood (PPAC), a painful joint disease caused by a genetic deficiency. The study uses a unique animal model, specifically genetically modified sheep, to mimic the condition and understand its underlying mechanisms. By evaluating these sheep through various clinical and biochemical methods, researchers aim to uncover insights that could lead to better treatments for affected children. The goal is to gather data that can help in developing therapeutic strategies for this debilitating condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for children suffering from PPAC.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach using sheep as a model is innovative, similar animal model studies have shown promise in understanding other genetic joint diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Craft, April Marie — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Craft, April Marie
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.