# Macrophage Anchoring Nanomedicine to Replace Steroids for Intra-articular Injection

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2024 · $206,785

## Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million of US adults, with an
associated healthcare cost at more than $185 billion annually. Current treatments for osteoarthritis address
symptoms with limited disease-modifying potential. Inflammation is the key mediator of joint OA, making it the
key target for osteoarthritis treatment. However, available anti-inflammatory drugs, such as steroids, are rapidly
cleared from the joint. Fullerenes (C60) possess potent anti-inflammatory effects and are intrinsically superior to
steroids and other molecules due to their long-lasting activity and cell membrane-penetrating capability. We
recently developed a nanoplatform cFLFLF-C60 capable of suppressing inflammation and targeting
macrophages, potentiating sustained joint retention and therapeutic effects. The goal of this project is to
determine the therapeutic efficacy of the nanoplatform on OA and associated pain. Aim 1 will evaluate the
efficacy of cFLFLF-C60 in human explant models of inflammatory OA. It will establish whether cFLFLF-C60 inhibits
cartilage degradation and inflammation in human joint explants. Aim 2 will determine the sustained effects of
treating OA and associated pain in a mouse model. It will elucidate the efficacy and time window of cFLFLF-C60
to modify cartilage degeneration and pain. This project represents a new and distinct direction for the field
because it addresses the underlying pathogenesis of OA and sustained joint delivery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10809035
- **Project number:** 5R21AR082052-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Li Jin
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $206,785
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-03-15 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10809035

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10809035, Macrophage Anchoring Nanomedicine to Replace Steroids for Intra-articular Injection (5R21AR082052-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10809035. Licensed CC0.

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