Understanding how bones communicate to stay strong in a rare bone disease
Official title: Mechanisms of bone fragility in Autosomal Dominant Osteopetrosis type II: from human to mouse and back
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11548351 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how bone-resorbing cells and bone-forming cells talk to each other in a rare condition called autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II to find new ways to keep bones healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $131,719 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AR078914-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11548351 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADOII) or related bone fragility conditions and their family members.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without ADOII or related bone fragility conditions may not directly benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
This project uses human patient samples and mouse models to uncover the signals between osteoclasts and osteoblasts during normal bone remodeling. It combines studies in people with ADOII and complementary animal research to link genetic changes in the CLCN7 gene to how bone resorption and formation are coordinated. The goal is to identify pathways that could be targeted to improve bone strength in people with fragile bones. Findings could illuminate new approaches for osteoporosis by revealing how disrupted cell communication leads to bone fragility. The research is conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital over several years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of bone signaling could lead to new therapies that strengthen bones in people with rare diseases and possibly more common osteoporosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in rare bone diseases has provided insights that translate to osteoporosis, suggesting this approach has promise but remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Charles, Julia F — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Charles, Julia F
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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.