Nerve peptide that may worsen Staph bone infections
Substance P exacerbation of staphylococcal bone damage
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE · NIH-11137131
This work is finding out whether a nerve chemical called substance P makes Staphylococcus aureus bone infections more inflammatory and damaging for people with osteomyelitis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHARLOTTE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11137131 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You should know that researchers will use both mouse infection models and isolated human bone cells in the lab to see how substance P affects bone inflammation, osteoclast and osteoblast behavior, and bacterial-driven bone loss. They will expose bone cells to Staphylococcus aureus and substance P to track immune signals and cell responses, and test whether blocking the substance P receptor (NK-1R) reduces damage. The project combines cell-culture experiments using human and murine cells with established in vivo animal models to observe bone destruction over time. The aim is to generate findings that could guide therapies to protect bone during staph infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with Staphylococcus aureus bone infections (osteomyelitis) who might donate bone or tissue samples now or be eligible for future trials targeting substance P pathways.
Not a fit: People whose bone problems are due to non-infectious causes or other types of bacteria not driven by the same inflammatory pathways may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to treatments that block substance P signaling to reduce inflammation and bone loss in staphylococcal osteomyelitis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical studies show substance P can worsen inflammation in other tissues and can change bone-cell responses, but applying NK-1R blockade to staphylococcal osteomyelitis is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
CHARLOTTE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE — CHARLOTTE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MARRIOTT, IAN — UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE
- Study coordinator: MARRIOTT, IAN
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.
Conditions: Bacterial Infections