Role of CCR2 in osteoarthritis affecting joints and muscles
Official title: Role of CCR2 in osteoarthritis
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11389599 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how the CCR2 pathway and its partner CCL2 influence joint damage, pain, and muscle changes after joint injuries like ACL tears.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2017 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $452,781 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR070821-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389599 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with a history of joint injury or osteoarthritis who could benefit from therapies targeting CCR2/CCL2 pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to CCR2/CCL2 pathways or those not experiencing PTOA-related symptoms may not benefit.
What this research studies
After joint trauma, people can develop post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and this project looks at how CCR2 and CCL2 affect cartilage damage, inflammation, and pain. The researchers will use human-relevant data and animal models to explore how macrophage behavior driven by CCR2 contributes to disease and pain. They also examine how muscle dysfunction relates to PTOA progression and whether targeting CCR2 could slow tissue degeneration and alleviate pain. The goal is to identify strategies that protect joints and improve recovery after injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new approaches to reduce joint degeneration and pain after injuries like ACL tears, potentially improving long-term joint health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous data support a role for CCR2/CCL2 in OA and pain, with animal studies showing benefit from CCR2 targeting, suggesting potential translational progress.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Longobardi, Lara — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Longobardi, Lara
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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.