Investigating a new chemokine to reduce pain after surgery
Official title: Explore the role of a new chemokine to alleviate postoperative pain
Funded at Michigan State University · NIH-11110017 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a substance called CCL12 affects pain after surgery, and by blocking it, researchers hope to find a way to reduce pain without the side effects of opioids, making recovery easier for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $431,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS142685-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110017 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are scheduled for surgery and may experience postoperative pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not undergo surgical procedures or who have chronic pain unrelated to surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how a specific immune mediator, CCL12, influences pain following surgical procedures. By neutralizing CCL12, the researchers aim to alleviate postoperative pain without the side effects associated with traditional opioid medications. The study will utilize two clinically relevant pain models to test the effectiveness of this approach and explore the underlying mechanisms of how CCL12 induces pain. If successful, this research could lead to safer pain management strategies for patients recovering from surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer alternative to opioids for managing postoperative pain.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of CCL12 in pain management has not been previously investigated, targeting immune mediators has shown promise in other pain-related research.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan State University
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laumet, Geoffroy O — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Laumet, Geoffroy O
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Postoperative Pain Guidelines for Pregnancy: Safer, Patient-Centered Opioid Use
We’re creating patient-friendly guidelines to help doctors manage pain after delivery and surgery in pregnant people, aiming to reduce opioid overuse and improve safety.
-
Using smart devices to better understand and treat pain after surgery
A Dartmouth-led project uses smartphones and wearables with smart AI to predict and manage persistent pain that can follow surgery.
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Contemporary Human Models of Postoperative Pain in General Surgery
A study in general surgery patients using biopsychosocial approaches to understand why some people have long-lasting pain after surgery.
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Better Predicting and Personalizing Postoperative Pain Care
Aimed at using advanced data tools to better predict and manage a patient’s pain after surgery and reduce opioid-related risks.
-
Central glutamate signaling in postoperative pain regulation
This grant studies how brain circuits control pain after surgery to help develop non-opioid pain medicines for patients.
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Extended-release gel for opioid-free postoperative pain relief
A new injectable gel formulation of bupivacaine is being tested to provide pain relief for several days after surgery without using opioids.
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.