Microvascular health in osteoarthritis: how blood vessels affect joints
Official title: Microvascular integrity and its role in osteoarthritis
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11421477 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant asks to explore how tiny blood vessels in the joint contribute to osteoarthritis and whether targeting them could shift disease outcomes to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,367 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR087964-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421477 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for osteoarthritis who may benefit from future therapies targeting joint microvasculature.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without OA or those not involved in vascular-focused OA research are less likely to benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease that damages cartilage and causes pain and stiffness. The project uses advanced imaging and AAV-based tools to study blood vessel changes in the joint’s lining and underlying bone. By understanding when and how blood vessels become abnormal, researchers hope to identify new points for therapies that might slow or prevent OA progression. The work is designed to translate findings from human tissue and relevant models toward future patient-centered treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new targets to slow OA progression and reduce pain for people living with the condition.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked abnormal joint blood vessels to OA, suggesting a promising but evolving area.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Novak, Sanja — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Novak, Sanja
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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.