Understanding how specific immune cells affect bone fracture healing
Official title: Mechanistic Investigation of Lgals3+ Macrophages in Fracture Callus Fibrosis and Dysfunctional Repair
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11373376 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at figuring out why some broken bones scar or heal badly by studying a particular type of immune cell in bone under strain, with the goal of better healing therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $372,171 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR086393-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373376 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with bone fractures at risk of nonunion or delayed healing due to high mechanical strain and fibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with uncomplicated fractures that already heal well may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project investigates how mechanical strain at fracture sites drives fibrosis and poor bone repair by examining Lgals3+ macrophages in a mouse fracture model. Researchers will use controlled mechanical loading and spatial transcriptomics to map cellular interactions and identify targets, like galectin-3, that worsen healing. The team plans to test whether targeting these cells or signals can improve bone formation and reduce fibrotic tissue in high-strain environments. The work could lead to new therapies that promote scar-free bone healing after fractures. Participation would involve animal studies and analyses that could inform future human trials for fracture care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to therapies that reduce fibrosis and improve fracture healing in patients with high mechanical strain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in bone healing and fibrosis has shown that the immune environment influences repair, but this study is exploring a specific mechanism involving Lgals3+ macrophages.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tiruvannamalai Annamalai, Ramkumar — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Tiruvannamalai Annamalai, Ramkumar
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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.