Understanding Nerve Signals in Pain and Abnormal Bone Growth
Official title: ACVR1 sensory neuron-specific signaling in neuropathic pain and injury-induced heterotopic ossification
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11143096 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how specific nerve signals contribute to long-lasting pain and abnormal bone formation, hoping to find new ways to help people with these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| 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 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $405,701 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081964-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143096 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients experiencing chronic pain related to nerve issues or abnormal bone growth, particularly those with conditions like Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), could ultimately benefit from this foundational understanding.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose pain or bone conditions are not related to ACVR1 signaling in sensory neurons may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Many people experience severe pain and a condition called heterotopic ossification (HO), where extra bone grows in soft tissues after injuries or surgeries, and current treatments are limited. This project aims to understand how specific signals within our sensory nerves contribute to both this persistent pain and the abnormal bone growth. We are particularly interested in a gene called ACVR1, which is known to cause a rare bone condition called FOP, where patients often have increased pain sensitivity. By studying nerve cells derived from FOP patients, we hope to uncover the exact ways these signals lead to pain and HO, paving the way for new and more effective therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that specifically target the nerve signals responsible for chronic pain and abnormal bone growth, offering relief to many patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, previous work on FOP and nerve-bone interactions provides a foundation for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Xiaobing — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Yu, Xiaobing
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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.