Understanding how mTOR signaling affects post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

Researchers will study how mTORC1 and mTORC2 contribute to osteoarthritis after joint injury, using animal models and various molecular approaches to separate the roles of each pathway. They will look at how blocking or altering mTOR signaling affects cartilage, joint tissues, and pain behaviors, aiming to pinpoint which branch could be targeted to prevent or lessen PTOA. The work will compare responses in males and females to see if sex influences the disease mechanism. The project will explore how current mTOR inhibitors interact with these pathways and what that means for potential therapies. Overall, the study seeks to clarify the biology so future treatments can be more precise and effective.”

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
  Madison, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Konopka, Adam R — Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
• Study coordinator: Konopka, Adam R

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis

  This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11644470

• Identifying OA subtypes and early warning signs before joint damage

  This grant asks researchers to find early, invisible clues of osteoarthritis subtypes so we can target treatments before joints are damaged.

  NIH research Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged · Boston, United States · NIH-11629811

• Digital biomarkers to guide personalized rehab after ACL injury

  Aims to use wearable sensors and phone videos to predict early osteoarthritis risk after ACL surgery so rehabilitation can be tailored to each patient.

  NIH research Carnegie-Mellon University · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11611050

• Aberrant mechano-oxygen coupling linked to zinc-rich mineralization in osteoarthritis

  Aims to understand how abnormal joint forces affect cartilage and bone, causing zinc-rich mineral deposits and harmful blood vessel growth in osteoarthritis.

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11538110

• Notch signaling in TMJ osteoarthritis: uncovering mechanisms and new targets

  Researchers are studying how Notch signaling affects TMJ osteoarthritis to identify new ways to protect and repair the jaw joint.

  NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11522770

• Nanoparticles delivering an sPLA2 blocker for knee osteoarthritis

  This project uses tiny, drug-filled nanoparticles to deliver an sPLA2-blocking medicine into the knee to reduce inflammation and slow knee osteoarthritis in people with painful knee OA.

  NIH research University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11516244

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.