Investigating how type III collagen affects cartilage health and disease
Official title: Roles of Type III Collagen in the Matrix Assembly and Mechanobiology of Cartilage
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11086043 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special type of collagen, called type III collagen, affects cartilage health and its role in osteoarthritis, with the goal of finding new ways to help repair and regenerate cartilage for people dealing with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 10, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $609,762 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083666-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086043 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing osteoarthritis or those at risk of developing cartilage degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cartilage health or those who do not have osteoarthritis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of type III collagen in the structure and function of cartilage, particularly in the context of osteoarthritis (OA). The team will explore how collagen III influences the assembly of the cartilage matrix and the behavior of cartilage cells (chondrocytes) during growth, maintenance, and disease. By using advanced techniques, they aim to uncover how the loss of collagen III may lead to increased susceptibility to OA and cartilage degeneration. The findings could help develop better strategies for cartilage repair and regeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for osteoarthritis, potentially restoring cartilage function and reducing pain for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding collagen's role in cartilage health, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Han, Lin — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Han, Lin
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.