Using NFAT1 to treat osteoarthritis
Therapeutic role of NFAT1 Transcription Factor in Osteoarthritis
This project aims to restore the NFAT1 protein in joint cells using AAV gene delivery to slow or reverse age-related osteoarthritis in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159418 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Osteoarthritis is linked to loss of the NFAT1 transcription factor in joint cartilage as people age, and researchers plan to boost NFAT1 levels to protect joint tissues. They will use AAV (adeno-associated virus) gene delivery in preclinical models and study human cartilage samples to understand how restoring NFAT1 affects cartilage health. The team will measure cartilage structure, cell function, and OA-like changes after NFAT1 delivery and compare results to untreated controls. Findings will guide whether NFAT1-directed therapies could move toward human treatment options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with age-related or post-injury osteoarthritis (particularly affecting load-bearing joints) would be the primary candidates for future NFAT1-based therapies.
Not a fit: People with joint pain from non-osteoarthritis causes or those with very advanced, end-stage joint destruction may not benefit from NFAT1-focused approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, NFAT1 delivery could slow cartilage breakdown, reduce OA progression, and lower pain or delay joint replacement for some patients.
How similar studies have performed: AAV gene-delivery methods have shown promise in animal models for joint diseases, but targeting NFAT1 is a novel approach that has not yet been tested in human treatments.
Where this research is happening
Kansas City, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center — Kansas City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jinxi — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jinxi
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 below.