# A2CPS ExRNA Component

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $368,386

## Abstract

EXTRACELLAR RNA COMPONENT
SUMMARY
Extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) have been found in all tested human biofluids, and there is increasing evidence
that they play a role in pain mediation and modulation, and can serve as biomarkers for identification of those at
risk for transitioning to chronic pain after an acute pain episode. This project is the exRNA Component of the
Omics Data Generation Center (ODGC) for the Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures (A2CPS) Program. In this
Program, the Clinical Centers will recruit and collect clinical data and biofluid samples from two longitudinal
cohorts of 1800 subjects each. Biofluid samples will be collected 0, 3, and 6 months after an acute pain episode,
consisting of a specific surgical procedure or a specific musculoskeletal trauma. These samples will be used to
generate multi-omic data to validate 40 primary outcome biomarkers indicating susceptibility or resilience to
development of chronic pain, as well as to identify new candidate biomarkers. For the proposed exRNA
Component, Aim 1, which will be executed in Year 1, will involve close collaboration with other components of
the A2CPS Program to establish the final study design and protocols. All of the A2CPS Program investigators
will work together to establish the 40 primary outcome biomarkers. The ODGC and Clinical Center investigators
will jointly decide on the specific sample type(s) and collection/processing/storage methods. The ODGC and
Data integration Resource Center/Data Coordination Component (DIRC/DCC) investigators will establish
Metadata and Data Standards and a workflow for submission of metadata and data to the DCC. The exRNA
Component and the Administrative Core of the ODGC will establish a LIMS for sample and data tracking, and
recording of metadata. The exRNA Component and DIRC/Data Integration and Analysis Component (DIAC) will
establish qRT-PCR and small RNAseq data analysis pipelines. Aims 2 and 3 will span Years 2-4, with Aim 2
focused on isolation and qRT-PCR and small RNAseq profiling of exRNA from the ~11,000 biofluid samples that
will be collected by the Clinical Centers. Aim 3 will encompass submission of metadata and data to the
DIRC/DCC, quality control of the data, and data analysis and interpretation. The primary goal of this Component
is generation and submission of high-quality exRNA qRT-PCR and small RNAseq data for validation of pre-
selected candidate exRNA biomarkers and discovery of novel exRNA biomarkers. The exRNA component
investigators also anticipate participating in integrative analyses with the DIRC/DIAC aimed at developing pain
signatures comprised of multiple biomarker types (including molecular, clinical, psychosocial, and/or imaging
biomarkers) indicating susceptibility/resilience to chronic pain, which can be used to develop personalized
strategies for prevention and treatment of chronic pain. The personnel for this proposed exRNA Component
have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully execu...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10224835
- **Project number:** 5U54DA049115-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** LOUISE CHANG LAURENT
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $368,386
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10224835

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10224835, A2CPS ExRNA Component (5U54DA049115-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10224835. Licensed CC0.

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