Understanding how specific signaling pathways affect cartilage health and osteoarthritis
Official title: Analyzing the role of cAMP and STAT3 signaling in cartilage homeostasis and osteoarthritis development
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11036325 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain signals in the body help keep cartilage healthy and how problems with these signals might lead to osteoarthritis, using special mice to learn more about it, which could help find new ways to diagnose and treat the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 14, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $199,896 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AR077090-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036325 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of developing osteoarthritis or those already experiencing early symptoms of the condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced osteoarthritis or those who do not have cartilage-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of cAMP and STAT3 signaling pathways in maintaining healthy cartilage and their involvement in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). By studying a genetic mutant mouse model, the researchers aim to uncover how these pathways contribute to cartilage homeostasis and the progression of OA. The project will involve activating cAMP signaling in cartilage and analyzing the resulting cellular changes to better understand the underlying mechanisms of OA. This knowledge could lead to new strategies for early diagnosis and potential treatments for OA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of disease-modifying therapies for osteoarthritis, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of signaling pathways in cartilage health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Zhaoyang — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Liu, Zhaoyang
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
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.