Understanding how fat tissue affects joint health in osteoarthritis
Official title: Unraveling Fundamental Mechanisms of Interorgan Crosstalk in Osteoarthritis
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10908879 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how fat in the body affects joint health and osteoarthritis, which causes pain and stiffness, by using special mice that don’t have fat to see how fat influences the joints, with the hope of finding new ways to treat this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,476,001 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2AG093209-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908879 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from osteoarthritis, particularly those with obesity or related metabolic conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with osteoarthritis who do not have any associated metabolic conditions or obesity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex relationship between adipose (fat) tissue and osteoarthritis (OA), a condition that leads to joint pain and disability. It challenges the traditional view that OA is solely caused by mechanical stress on joints, highlighting the systemic influences of fat on joint health. By using a unique model of mice without fat, the researchers aim to uncover how fat communicates with cartilage and contributes to OA. The goal is to identify new systemic mediators that could lead to innovative treatments for OA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that address the root causes of osteoarthritis, improving pain management and physical function for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has begun to explore the systemic aspects of osteoarthritis, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights, although it remains a relatively novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Kelsey Helen-Marie — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Collins, Kelsey Helen-Marie
Related research
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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.