Nociceptive nerve signals could rejuvenate aging blood stem cells
Official title: Contributions of nociceptive nerves in the HSC niche
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11518986 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small grant is testing whether activating pain-sensing nerves in bone marrow with a molecule called CGRP can reverse aging changes in blood-forming stem cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,718 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DK146863-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518986 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are older individuals or animals/models with aging-related changes in the bone marrow and hematopoietic system.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy young individuals or non-aging hematopoietic conditions with no bone marrow nerve changes may derive little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and how nerve signals influence their aging. It will test CGRP delivery and using chemogenetic tools (DREADDs) to stimulate bone marrow nerves in aged mice, aiming to restore stem cell function and healthier blood cell development. The work combines molecular studies with animal experiments to understand mechanisms that could translate to therapies for aging-related blood diseases. If successful, it could point toward strategies to improve stem cell health in older people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new ways to rejuvenate aging blood-forming stem cells and improve immune and blood health in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies indicate nervous system components influence the bone marrow niche and stem cell mobilization, supporting potential benefits of CGRP-based rejuvenation strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Xin — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Gao, Xin
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.