Investigating how fat affects osteoarthritis
Official title: The Role of Fat in Osteoarthritis
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10899616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how extra body fat might affect osteoarthritis, a common cause of joint pain, by using special mice that have OA but no fat; the researchers want to find out how fat and its chemicals impact joint health and hope to develop new treatments that could help people with OA, especially those who are overweight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $241,530 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AR078949-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from osteoarthritis, particularly those with obesity-related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without osteoarthritis or those whose condition is unrelated to adipose tissue may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between excess fat and osteoarthritis (OA), a leading cause of pain and disability. Using a mouse model that lacks fat but shows OA symptoms, the study aims to understand how adipose tissue and the substances it releases, called adipokines, contribute to joint degeneration. By creating bioengineered adipose implants from stem cells, the researchers hope to dissect the signaling pathways involved in OA and identify potential therapeutic targets. This approach could lead to new insights into how obesity influences OA and pave the way for innovative treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that modify the disease process of osteoarthritis, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that targeting adipose tissue and its secretions may have therapeutic potential in managing osteoarthritis, suggesting a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Kelsey Helen-Marie — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Collins, Kelsey Helen-Marie
Related research
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-
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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.