Investigating how fat tissue affects osteoarthritis using a miniature joint model
Official title: Defining the unique capacity of the miniature joint model for investigating the role of adipose tissue and its impacts on osteoarthritis
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11089387 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how fat tissue affects joint problems like osteoarthritis by using a small joint model, and it hopes to find new ways to help people with joint pain related to obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $653,310 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR082386-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089387 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from osteoarthritis, particularly those who are overweight or obese.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with osteoarthritis who are not overweight or have other unrelated forms of arthritis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between adipose tissue and osteoarthritis (OA) by utilizing a specially designed miniature joint model. The team will introduce 'obese' adipose tissues into this model to study how they interact with other joint tissues during the development of OA. By simulating human physiology more accurately than traditional animal models, this approach aims to uncover the mechanisms linking obesity and OA. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to new treatments for obesity-related OA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating osteoarthritis in patients with obesity.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been successful studies using animal models for OA, this approach using a human cell-based model is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Hang — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Lin, Hang
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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.