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Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Mechanisms of Osteoarthritis

National Institutes of Health

This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) invites applications on research employing genetically defined and/or modified mouse models, other animal models such as dogs and monkeys, or archived human joint tissues to explore the biological mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis is a significant problem in the aging population and is a major contributor to mobility limitations endemic in this population and, therefore, is an important element in the research mission of NIA and NIAMS. Inflammatory processes are evident in aging and advanced stages of osteoarthritis and are likely to be major contributors to the chronic pain that is the most common symptom of the condition. The initiating factor(s) responsible for OA are controversial. For the purposes of this announcement, osteoarthritis is distinguished from other joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, in which inflammation arising from autoimmunity is the primary cause of tissue damage. The root causes of joint degeneration in osteoarthritis remain unclear, but there are three widely accepted routes: aging, traumatic injury, and obesity.

While aging is an important risk factor for osteoarthritis, research efforts in the past have focused primarily on the more advanced stages of osteoarthritis. Relatively little is understood about the initial changes triggering disease etiology and early progression. This NOSI is intended to encourage novel approaches to accelerate development and characterization of emerging or under-explored models as well as testing hypotheses that will lead to an improved understanding of the origins and mechanisms (both mechanical and molecular) mediating osteoarthritic progression or testing various therapeutic interventions for osteoarthritis.

This notice applies to due dates on or after June 5, 2024 and subsequent receipt dates through May 8, 2027.

NOT-AG-24-002