(duplicate) Characterisation of OA and RA Synovial Fibroblasts
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterisation of Synovial Fibroblasts from Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients: culture protocols, marker profile and pluripotent characteristics
IRAS ID
180665
Contact name
Federica Masieri
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Campus Suffolk
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 5 days
Research summary
The synovial membrane encapsulates diarthrosic joints; the cells residing here, macrophages and synovial fibroblasts (SFs), play a fundamental role in physiology and pathology of joints. Particularly, SFs contribute to establishing joint inflammation and tissue degeneration in both RA and OA. The detailed biology of SFs is still partially known and investigating their characteristics may represent a critical step in understanding their contribution to the diverse profile of both diseases, with possible clinical applications.
One of the objectives of the study is to establish standardised in vitro cultures of SFs, obtained from synovial fluid of OA and RA patients. Cells obtained with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be conserved in a liquid nitrogen repository for future studies. A second objective, realised only upon securement of additional research funds,is to characterise gene and protein expression profiles of both cell models. Moreover, SFs are candidate mesenchymal stem cell progenitors: as such their differentiation towards chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineage will be explored; their angiogenic capacity will be also studied. Furthermore,there is evidence that a chronically inflamed microenvironment can negatively impact on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. OA and RA are characterised by different degrees of inflammation. Understanding the differentiation capacity of both cell models, in the presence of a pro-inflammatory microenvironment, can help the optimisation of cell-based tissue reparative techniques. Therefore,protocols of cell differentiation will be conducted in the presence of selected pro-inflammatory stimuli.The possibility to reprogramme both cell models through specific reprogramming techniques, to an undifferentiated ("immature") status , will be also explored.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0173
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion