Mitochondrial DNA and inflammation in back disc degeneration
Official title: Mitochondrial DNA leakage promotes inflammation and intervertebral disc degeneration
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11539578 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how damaged mitochondrial DNA may trigger inflammation and contribute to disc degeneration in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $502,610 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AR086165-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11539578 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for intervertebral disc degeneration who consent to participate in related experiments or provide biological samples.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience direct benefits, as results apply to mechanisms of disease that may not translate immediately to treatments.
What this research studies
This project looks at why the discs in your spine degrade and cause back pain by focusing on mitochondria and the DNA they release when stressed. Researchers will study how mtDNA fragments interact with the body's inflammatory sensors, potentially driving pain and tissue breakdown. The work combines review of existing data with experiments designed to unravel the role of oxidative damage and the mitochondrial permeability pore in disc health. If successful, the findings could point to new ways to slow or interrupt disc degeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies to prevent or reduce disc-related back pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked mtDNA and inflammatory pathways to tissue degeneration, but the exact escape mechanism in discs is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ansari, Mohammad Yunus — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Ansari, Mohammad Yunus
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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.