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Role of hemopexin in the development of urologicchronic pelvic pain syndrome

Award Number: F31DK139684
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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Role of hemopexin in the development of urologicchronic pelvic pain syndrome - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS) is a condition characterized by persistent pelvic pain and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and has an incompletely understood etiology. The symptomology of UCPPS is often differentially attributed to the urinary bladder in females and the prostate in males. Two important factors that have been associated with both the development of UCPPS and symptom flares in patients are chronic stress and dysregulation of extracellular heme homeostasis. The objective of this application is to examine the role of hemopexin (Hpx) in pelvic and visceral pain associated with UCPPS. Hpx is a glycoprotein with anti- inflammatory effects due, in part, to scavenging of heme, a hemoglobin precursor located in red blood cells (RBCs). Liberation of heme from damaged RBCs has previously been associated with stress exposure, and cell- free heme has deleterious effects including production of reactive oxygen species and promotion of inflammation and pain. AIM 1 will examine the relationship between chronic stress exposure, cell-free heme concentration, and development of pelvic/bladder hypersensitivity in the context of Hpx depletion. AIM 2 will assess whether chronic stress exposure alters nociceptive processing in spinal dorsal horn neurons in Hpx KO and WT mice. AIM 3 will use small animal fMRI to compare brain activity before and after stress exposure in Hpx KO and WT animals. Identification of a mechanistic role of Hpx and/or regulation of heme homeostasis in pain associated with UCPPS will reveal a novel avenue for the therapeutic development. The proposed research will be completed under the mentorship of Dr. DeBerry (Sponsor) and Dr. Bolding (Co-sponsor) and is one component of the fellowship training plan that will enhance the applicant’s expertise in 1) biostatistics, 2) neuroimaging analysis, 3) neuroimmunology in chronic pain, and 4) scientific writing and leadership skills. The proposed research and training will be carried out at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine with support from the UAB Graduate School, Behavioral Neuroscience (BN) Doctoral Program, and UAB Small Animal Imaging Shared Facility.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $41,696 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH STREET	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	2	1/30/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$40,556
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH STREET	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	001	2	3/30/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,140
														Subtotal = $41,696

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $40,556 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH STREET	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	1	1/9/2025	NEW	$40,556
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH STREET	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	001	1	1/9/2025	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $40,556

Grand Total All Awards = $82,252

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Role of hemopexin in the development of urologicchronic pelvic pain syndrome

Award Number: F31DK139684

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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