Mapping aging (senescent) cells in joint tissue
JHU-Mayo-NIA Murine Senescence Mapping Program (JMN-MSMP)
Researchers are mapping aging cells in the joint lining to understand how they contribute to osteoarthritis and age-related joint inflammation so future treatments can target them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11361299 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, the team is using mouse models of aging and joint injury to find and map senescent (aging) cells in the synovium, the tissue that lines joints. They will combine lab experiments with computational tools to identify different senescent cell types and how they interact with immune cells. The work will test how removing or altering these cells affects tissue breakdown and inflammation in models of arthritis. Results aim to reveal which senescent cells are harmful versus helpful, guiding new treatment ideas.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with osteoarthritis or chronic age-related joint pain are the population most likely to benefit from therapies that come from this research.
Not a fit: Individuals without joint disease or whose symptoms are caused by infection, acute trauma, or non-senescence mechanisms may not benefit from senescence-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that remove or modulate harmful aging cells to slow or reverse osteoarthritis and chronic joint inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown that removing senescent cells can improve joint disease, but detailed mapping of synovial senescent cell types and their immune interactions is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elisseeff, Jennifer H — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Elisseeff, Jennifer H
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 below.