Investigating how ALK4 signaling affects bone health and disease
Official title: The role of ALK4 signaling in skeletal homeostasis and pathogenesis
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-10990501 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific signaling pathway affects bone health and aims to create new treatments that can help people with conditions like obesity, diabetes, and arthritis by improving their bone strength and mass.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $576,489 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081061-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990501 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults with chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or anemia of inflammation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic diseases or those who do not have skeletal manifestations related to their condition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of ALK4 signaling in maintaining bone health and its involvement in various chronic diseases. It focuses on developing biologically-based therapeutics, specifically ligand traps, that can prevent harmful proteins from activating bone cells. By studying the effects of these treatments in preclinical models, the research aims to understand how they can improve bone mass and strength in patients with conditions like obesity, diabetes, and arthritis. The ultimate goal is to identify potential skeletal side effects and benefits of these new therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that improve bone health and reduce complications in patients with chronic diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar therapeutic approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosen, Vicki — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Rosen, Vicki
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.