Targeting spinal cord inflammation with a new HuR inhibitor to help SCI patients
Official title: Therapeutic benefit of targeting neuroinflammation in spinal cord injury with a novel small molecule inhibitor of the RNA regulator HuR
Funded at Birmingham VA Medical Center · NIH-11617294 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new treatment approach uses a small molecule to block a brain-spinal inflammation regulator (HuR) that drives harmful inflammation after spinal cord injury, aiming to lessen damage and pain for people with SCI.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Birmingham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005899-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617294 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with spinal cord injury, including younger adults and potentially veterans, who could benefit from therapies that reduce secondary injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with injuries where inflammation is not a key driver of damage may see limited benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on reducing secondary injury after spinal cord injury by interrupting the inflammatory cascade driven by glial cells. The study centers on a novel HuR inhibitor to limit the production of inflammatory mediators that worsen neuron and support cell damage. If successful, this could translate into therapies that preserve function and reduce pain for SCI patients, including younger adults and veterans. The work combines molecular studies with preclinical models to understand how HuR controls post-injury inflammation and to test the potential therapeutic effects of the inhibitor.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the approach could lessen tissue damage and chronic pain after SCI, improving recovery and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: There is prior evidence that targeting inflammatory pathways can improve outcomes after CNS injury, but the HuR-focused strategy is relatively novel and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Birmingham VA Medical Center
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: King, Peter H — Birmingham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: King, Peter H
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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.