Understanding how bone cells communicate to regulate bone health
Official title: Identification of osteoclast endocrine and paracrine communications by systems genetics approaches
Funded at Southern California Inst for Res/educ · NIH-10716388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how bone cells talk to each other to keep our bones healthy and help them heal, which could lead to better treatments for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Southern California Inst for Res/educ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Long Beach, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $338,508 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR082842-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10716388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults suffering from bone-related diseases, particularly those with rheumatoid arthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to bone health or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the communication between osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption, and other cells in the bone marrow environment. By using a novel systems genetics approach, the study aims to uncover how these cells interact through endocrine and paracrine signals, which are crucial for maintaining bone health and repairing fractures. The researchers will analyze data from a diverse panel of mice to identify these communication pathways, which could lead to new insights into bone-related diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for conditions that affect bone health, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding endocrine functions in bone health, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Southern California Inst for Res/educ
Long Beach, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Haibo — Southern California Inst for Res/educ
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Haibo
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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.