Understanding how TonEBP affects intervertebral disc health
Official title: TonEBP/Nfat5, vesicular trafficking and intervertebral disc maintenance
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11057621 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called TonEBP helps keep the discs in your spine healthy, which is important for preventing back pain and other spine problems, using special mouse models to learn more about its role in disc health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $430,111 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR082536-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057621 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from low back pain or conditions related to intervertebral disc degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute back injuries or those without any spine-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of TonEBP in the maintenance and formation of intervertebral discs (IVDs), which are crucial for spine health. By using specialized mouse models, the study aims to uncover how TonEBP influences vesicular protein transport and the communication between different compartments of the IVD. The researchers will analyze the effects of TonEBP deficiency on cellular processes like autophagy and protein secretion, which are vital for disc integrity. This work could lead to new insights into treating low back pain and spine degeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that modify the progression of low back pain and improve spine health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cellular mechanisms related to spine health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elefteriou, Florent — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Elefteriou, Florent
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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.