Targeting aging cells to help TMJ arthritis
Official title: Targeting P21 positive senescent cells for alleviating TMJ degeneration
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11538354 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to selectively remove aging p21-high cells in the jaw joint to reduce degeneration and pain in people with TMJ problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $384,478 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DE033004-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11538354 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with TMJ degeneration, particularly those affected by obesity or aging-related joint changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without TMJ degeneration or those not impacted by obesity or age-related changes may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you have TMJ degeneration, this research will test a new treatment strategy that targets a specific aging cell type inside the jaw joint. Researchers will use a mouse model to understand how these p21-high cells contribute to obesity- and age-related joint damage and test a genetic and therapeutic approach to eliminate them. The goal is to see whether removing these cells can improve joint health and lessen pain from TMJ degeneration. This work could lay the groundwork for future therapies that address the cellular drivers of joint aging in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce TMJ pain and improve jaw function for people with degeneration.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest that removing senescent cells can improve tissue health in aging models, though this specific approach for TMJ is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yadav, Sumit — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Yadav, Sumit
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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.