Investigating a new chemokine to reduce pain after surgery

Explore the role of a new chemokine to alleviate postoperative pain

NIH-funded research Michigan State University · NIH-11110017

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 typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMichigan State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (East Lansing, United States)
Project IDNIH-11110017 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are scheduled for surgery and may experience postoperative pain.

Not a fit: Patients who do not undergo surgical procedures or who have chronic pain unrelated to surgery may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer alternative to opioids for managing postoperative pain.

How similar studies have performed: 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

East Lansing, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.