Age-related microstructural changes at the osteochondral junction: Investigating cellular network in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and progressive disease of the joints which is associated with heightened mortality risk, diminished quality of life and various comorbidities. In Canada alone, OA currently affects 10 million individuals and is projected to cost approximately CAD$22 billion by 2040.

Since OA has traditionally been associated with the degradation of articular cartilage, the role of living cells in the joints have not been thoroughly studied. One region of interest in the joint is known as the osteochondral interface, which is composed of various cell types, situated within an extracellular matrix (ECM) of proteins and mineral particles. These cells regulate the tissue microenvironment by responding to mechanical stresses, and their communication can greatly affect the onset and progression of OA.

The purpose of this project is to gain a deeper understanding of the cell-to-cell crosstalk which occurs at the osteochondral interface and how this affects the development of OA. The primary goals are to examine the cellular network at the osteochondral interface, quantify and identify the changes to this network as OA progresses, and lastly evaluate the corresponding mineral density changes in the ECM. These objectives will be accomplished using light and electron microscopy, and segmentation to quantify cellular networks. Considering the damaging impact of OA on the aging population, this project aims to yield vital insights which will enable the development of targeted interventions for the treatment of OA.