Musculoskeletal tissue damage linked to prosthetic joint infection and a new protective drug
Official title: Musculoskeletal Tissue Degeneration in the Setting of Prosthetic Joint Infection
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11440186 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in rats will test whether a new drug can protect bone and muscle from damage caused by prosthetic joint infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $331,959 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR088425-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11440186 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be patients with prosthetic joints at risk of infection or with early signs of PJI in future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without prosthetic joints or without infection-related tissue degeneration may not benefit from this preclinical work.
What this research studies
This project looks at why tissues around joint implants break down when there is an infection and tests a new drug, a TRPC channel blocker called ELP-004, to see if it can keep bones strong and muscles healthy. Using a rat model of prosthetic joint infection, researchers will give the drug by oral gavage and measure bone density and tissue integrity to see if degeneration is reduced. The goal is to identify potential new treatments that improve outcomes for people with PJI who need joint implants. If successful, this work could inform future studies and guide therapy to preserve joint function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the drug could help preserve bone and muscle health in people with prosthetic joint infections.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models have shown that TRPC inhibitors can influence bone and muscle outcomes in related settings, but this specific approach in PJI is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rader, Erik Paul — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Rader, Erik Paul
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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.