# Targeting macrophage polarization to optimize muscle regrowth from disuse atrophy

> **NIH NIH R56** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $634,259

## Abstract

Abstract
Muscle recovery following a disuse event is impaired in many older adults which could increase the risk for falls,
fractures and disability. We have shown that muscle macrophages are dysregulated during the regrowth period
following a disuse event in aged muscle. Therefore, we have proposed a series of elegant, pre-clinical mouse
experiments to determine the effectiveness of various immunomodulating therapeutics and identify specific
mechanisms underlying age-related muscle immune dysregulation in skeletal muscle during regrowth from
disuse. We will utilize state-of-the-art approaches to phenotype muscle macrophages (FACS, single cell RNA
sequencing, immunofluorescence) coupled with mouse genetics and bone transfer experiments to extensively
address these questions. The data generated will be the first of its kind identifying the mechanisms underlying
macrophage dysregulation in aged muscle during regrowth following disuse atrophy while also testing if
immunomodulation amplifies muscle and functional recovery in the old.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10228828
- **Project number:** 1R56AG069328-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Micah J Drummond
- **Activity code:** R56 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $634,259
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-15 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10228828

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10228828, Targeting macrophage polarization to optimize muscle regrowth from disuse atrophy (1R56AG069328-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10228828. Licensed CC0.

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