Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded the University of California, San Francisco a $545,808 Project Grant on June 5, 2026, under the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846). This project will be conducted through March 31, 2031, and focuses on developing matrix-modifying therapies to increase cartilage endplate (CEP) permeability and improve spinal disc nutrition. The research addresses a critical gap in disc regeneration treatment, as inadequate nutrient transport through cartilage endplates contributes significantly to intervertebral disc degeneration and associated low back pain.

The project will deliver peer-reviewed research findings and preclinical data through three complementary research aims. Researchers will characterize the relationship between CEP matrix modification (targeting collagen, aggrecan, and mineral components), solute filtration properties, and mechanical integrity using enzyme treatments such as matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) variants. The deliverables will include comparative analysis of how different matrix-modifying treatments affect nutrient transport capacity, cell biological responses, and nucleus pulposus cell survival in CEP explants and whole-disc organ cultures. These results are anticipated to establish a mechanistic foundation for developing novel therapeutic interventions to enhance disc regeneration and address degenerative disc disease pathology.