Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carla Felice, Arianna Dal Buono, Roberto Gabbiadini, Marcello Rattazzi, Alessandro Armuzzi
Summary: Spondyloarthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic immune disorders of the joints and the gut that often coexist in the same patient. The pathogenesis of both disorders involves genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, microbiome features, immune cell trafficking, and soluble factors such as cytokines. However, different cytokines may be involved in the tissue damage process, making it challenging to find an efficacious therapeutic plan that targets both inflammatory manifestations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Adam C. Abraham, Fei Fang, Mikhail Golman, Panagiotis Oikonomou, Stavros Thomopoulos
Summary: Analysis of different load-dependent rotator cuff tendinopathy models revealed that underuse and destabilization resulted in changes in forepaw weight-bearing, decreased tendon-to-bone attachment strength, and reduced tendon strength, while overuse activity caused alterations in walking patterns, increased tendon stiffness, and suppression of wound healing-related gene expression.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jun Li, Chao Xue, Hao Wang, Shiyan Dong, Zhaogang Yang, Yuting Cao, Binan Zhao, Biao Cheng, Xianrui Xie, Xiumei Mo, Wen Jiang, Hengfeng Yuan, Jianfeng Pan
Summary: This study presents a strategy for manufacturing anisotropic hybrid nanofibrous composites that mimic the mechanical properties and hierarchical structures of tendons and ligaments. The hybrid nanofibrous composites show improved biodurability and biocompatibility, and after transplantation in vivo, they integrate with native tendons to promote tissue ingrowth and tendon regeneration. The optimized anisotropic hybrid nanofibrous composites also lead to more significant deposition of tendon-associated extracellular matrix proteins during tendon repair.
Article
Cell Biology
Ana I. Goncalves, Adriana Vinhas, Marcia T. Rodrigues, Manuela E. Gomes
Summary: The study focused on using human T/ L-derived cells from patellar tendons and cruciate ligaments as suitable cellular models to anticipate tendon and ligament niches responses for advanced strategies. It showed that both T/ L-derived cells successfully undergo cryopreservation/thawing maintaining their tenogenic/ligamentogenic profiles. Low-temperature storage was also found to potentiate an immunomodulatory profile of the cells.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biophysics
Eman Merza, Stephen Pearson, Glen Lichtwark, Meg Ollason, Peter Malliaras
Summary: The study investigated the changes in tendon volume under load for individuals with healthy Achilles tendon and midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Results showed stable volume in healthy Achilles tendon with acute interventions, while individuals with midportion Achilles tendinopathy exhibited immediate and short-term volume reductions in response to different interventions.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Orthopedics
Tao Wang, Peilin Chen, Lianzhi Chen, Yinghong Zhou, Allan Wang, Qiujian Zheng, Christopher A. Mitchell, Toby Leys, Rocky S. Tuan, Ming H. Zheng
Summary: This study investigates the impact of mechanical underloading on tendon ossification and its molecular mechanism. The results demonstrate that tendons cultured in an underloading environment show progressive heterotopic ossification and reduced biomechanical strength.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC TRANSLATION
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bong-Woo Lee, Su-Jin Moon
Summary: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects individuals with psoriasis, arthritis, and enthesitis. Inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-23, and IL-17, play a crucial role in the onset and progression of PsA by attracting inflammatory cells to the joint tissues and causing cartilage and bone deterioration. Blocking these cytokines has shown significant clinical benefits, and further research is being conducted to explore other potential therapeutic targets for PsA treatment. This review discusses the current understanding of the role of inflammatory cytokines in PsA pathogenesis and the clinical implications of targeting these cytokines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ryo Nakamichi, Hiroshi Asahara
Summary: This review discusses the core molecular mechanisms involved in the development and homeostasis of tendons and ligaments, with a particular focus on transcription factors, signaling pathways, and mechanical stress.
Review
Cell Biology
Krzysztof Data, Magdalena Kulus, Hanna Ziemak, Mikolaj Chwarzynski, Hanna Piotrowska-Kempisty, Dorota Bukowska, Pawel Antosik, Paul Mozdziak, Bartosz Kempisty
Summary: Healing of dense regular connective tissue often requires surgical implantation or reconstruction with high risk of reinjury. Decellularization provides an alternative method for tissue regeneration using bioscaffolds that retain the tissue-specific molecular structure. However, there is no standardized protocol for cell extraction in dense regular connective tissue, and modifications to the bioscaffold are necessary to improve therapeutic results. Understanding the key aspects of bioscaffolds is crucial for their potential use in tissue regeneration.
Review
Sport Sciences
David S. Logerstedt, Jay R. Ebert, Toran D. MacLeod, Bryan C. Heiderscheit, Tim J. Gabbett, Brian J. Eckenrode
Summary: Mechanical loading to the knee joint generates differential responses based on tissue capacity and tissue adaptation at the molecular and cellular levels. Rehabilitation following knee injury or surgery should focus on maximizing patient response to exercise while minimizing re-injury risk. Clinicians need to understand injured tissues, tissue-healing constraints, knee complex biomechanics, and training principles to provide appropriate loading progressions for rehabilitation.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jennifer L. Puetzer, Tianchi Ma, Ignacio Sallent, Amy Gelmi, Molly M. Stevens
Summary: The study successfully demonstrated the development of hierarchical collagen fibers in musculoskeletal tissues using restrained cell-seeded high density collagen gels. The fibers produced were similar to native tissues and showed significant improvement in tensile properties over time. This system holds promise for better understanding cellular regulation of fiber formation and stimulating tissue regeneration after injury.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Vito Burgio, Marco Civera, Mariana Rodriguez Reinoso, Elena Pizzolante, Simona Prezioso, Andrea Bertuglia, Cecilia Surace
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the mechanical properties of tendons in different anatomical regions of humans and various animal species. The findings showed similarities between animal and human tendons, which should be considered in biomechanical evaluations.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rocco Papalia, Claudia Cicione, Fabrizio Russo, Luca Ambrosio, Giuseppina Di Giacomo, Gianluca Vadala, Vincenzo Denaro
Summary: The study evaluated the in vitro effects of vancomycin on human primary tenocytes, finding that high concentrations of vancomycin can affect the metabolic activity and viability of tenocytes, while low concentrations can be safely used for a short period of time.
Article
Sport Sciences
Lauren Pringels, Luc Vanden Bossche, Evi Wezenbeek, Arne Burssens, Hannes Vermue, Jan Victor, Amelie Chevalier
Summary: Mechanical overload is the main cause of Achilles tendinopathy, and compressive loads may also contribute to the pathophysiology. However, data on intratendinous pressures is lacking. This study found that intratendinous pressure increased during stretching and eccentric loading, with the highest pressures in the deep insertion region and during the eccentric heel-drop. These findings suggest that compression plays a role in Achilles tendinopathy and further investigation is needed to explore its management in patients.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Gaspar Epro, Frank Suhr, Kiros Karamanidis
Summary: This study investigated the adaptive responses of the human triceps surae muscle-tendon unit to repetitive high tendon strain cyclic loading. The results showed that frequent high strain loading can lead to increased maximal tendon strain and altered collagen turnover.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Simon Krabbe, Thomas Renson, Lennart Jans, Dirk Elewaut, Filip Van den Bosch, Philippe Carron, Mikkel Ostergaard
Summary: The study aims to investigate the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of a novel MRI scoring system in early peripheral SpA (pSpA). Results showed that the proposed MRI lower-extremity inflammation index demonstrated good reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change in patients with early pSpA, and was correlated with other measures of disease activity.
Article
Rheumatology
Kevin L. Winthrop, John D. Isaacs, Philip J. Mease, Dimitrios T. Boumpas, Xenofon Baraliakos, Jacques-Eric Gottenberg, Stefan Siebert, Marta Mosca, Neil Basu, Dana Orange, R. Lories, Daniel Aletaha, Iain B. McInnes, Tom W. J. Huizinga, Reinhard E. Voll, Ellen M. Gravallese, Ferry C. Breedveld, Josef S. Smolen
Summary: This article summarizes the unmet clinical and scientific needs in the field of rheumatology. It highlights the importance of clinical trial design innovation and the need to better understand the natural history of rheumatic diseases. The article also identifies the specific unmet needs in different rheumatological disease-specific groups and emphasizes the importance of developing therapies and therapeutic strategies for treatment-refractory disease.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Desiree van der Heijde, Atul Deodhar, Xenofon Baraliakos, Matthew A. Brown, Hiroaki Dobashi, Maxime Dougados, Dirk Elewaut, Alicia M. Ellis, Carmen Fleurinck, Karl Gaffney, Lianne S. Gensler, Nigil Haroon, Marina Magrey, Walter P. Maksymowych, Alexander Marten, Ute Massow, Marga Oortgiesen, Denis Poddubnyy, Martin Rudwaleit, Julie Shepherd-Smith, Tetsuya Tomita, Filip van den Bosch, Thomas Vaux, Huji Xu
Summary: The BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 trials demonstrated that bimekizumab, a dual IL-17A and IL-17F inhibitor, improved efficacy outcomes in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and was well tolerated. These findings support the use of bimekizumab as a potential treatment option for axSpA.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
S. A. Elahi, R. Castro-Vinuelas, P. Tanska, R. K. Korhonen, R. Lories, N. Famaey, I. Jonkers
Summary: In silico approach was used to study the main mechanisms of cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis. Collagen degradation drives degenerative changes in intact and degenerated cartilage, while mechanical loading initially causes proteoglycans depletion in the presence of a focal cartilage defect.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Roman V. V. Chernozem, Igor Pariy, Maria A. A. Surmeneva, Vladimir V. V. Shvartsman, Guillaume Planckaert, Joost Verduijn, Stef Ghysels, Anatolii Abalymov, Bogdan V. V. Parakhonskiy, Eric Gracey, Amanda Goncalves, Sanjay Mathur, Frederik Ronsse, Diederik Depla, Doru C. C. Lupascu, Dirk Elewaut, Roman A. A. Surmenev, Andre G. G. Skirtach
Summary: This study comprehensively examines the effects of biodegradation on the properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) scaffolds supplemented with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The addition of 1.0 wt% rGO does not affect the enzymatic biodegradation rate of PHB scaffolds for 30 days. Biodegradation leads to depolymerization of the amorphous phase and an increase in crystallinity. The PHB-0.7rGO fibers exhibit the strongest piezoresponse, making them promising for tissue-engineering applications.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anton De Spiegeleer, Amelie Descamps, Srinath Govindarajan, Julie Coudenys, Kevin van der Borght, Hannah Hirmz, Nele van den Noortgate, Dirk Elewaut, Bart De Spiegeleer, Evelien Wynendaele
Summary: This study discovered the potential of quorum-sensing peptides to modulate the immune system in microbiome-host interactions. Through screening 89 peptides, four of them were found to activate immune cells in vitro, and one of them was detected in human plasma. These findings are biologically significant and reveal the immunomodulatory potential of quorum-sensing peptides.
Review
Rheumatology
Jonas J. W. Kuiper, Joerg C. Prinz, Efstratios Stratikos, Piotr Kusnierczyk, Akiko Arakawa, Sebastian Springer, Dillon Mintoff, Ivan Padjen, Russka Shumnalieva, Secil Vural, Ina Koetter, Marleen G. van de Sande, Ayse Boyvat, Joke H. de Boer, George Bertsias, Niek de Vries, Charlotte L. M. Krieckaert, Ines Leal, Natasa Vidovic Valentincic, Ilknur Tugal-Tutkun, Hanane el Khaldi Ahanach, Felicie Costantino, Simon Glatigny, Danijela Mrazovac Zimak, Fabian Loetscher, Floor G. Kerstens, Marija Bakula, Elsa Viera Sousa, Peter Boehm, Kees Bosman, Tony J. Kenna, Simon J. Powis, Maxime Breban, Ahmet Gul, John Bowes, Rik J. U. Lories, Johannes Nowatzky, Gerrit Jan Wolbink, Dennis G. McGonagle, Franktien Turkstra
Summary: The 'MHC-I-opathy' concept describes a group of inflammatory diseases with overlapping clinical manifestations and a strong genetic link to the MHC-I antigen presentation pathway. However, the understanding and treatment of these disorders is limited due to patient heterogeneity and lack of systematic investigation. Therefore, interdisciplinary collaboration is needed to decipher the underlying disease mechanisms.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Reem Assi, Chahrazad Cherifi, Frederique M. F. Cornelis, Qiongfei Zhou, Lies Storms, Sofia Pazmino, Rodrigo Coutinho de Almeida, Ingrid Meulenbelt, Rik J. J. Lories, Silvia Monteagudo
Summary: The methylation of H3K79me is reduced in osteoarthritis. Histone demethylase families, such as Jumonji-C and KDM2/7, can increase the levels of H3K79me and targeting KDM2/7 can protect joints against osteoarthritis.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Reem Assi, Jolien Quintiens, Silvia Monteagudo, Rik J. J. Lories
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease characterized by progressive damage to the joints, causing pain and loss of function. Intra-articular drug therapy has emerged as a potential treatment option, with drugs being injected directly into affected joints to optimize drug bioavailability and reduce systemic toxicity. This review explores the current landscape of intra-articular drug therapies for osteoarthritis, including established approaches and those in clinical development. Despite challenges in defining outcome measures and optimizing clinical trial set-ups, advancements in drug development and clinical trial design hold promise for successful therapies for this important disease.
Article
Orthopedics
Stijn Arnaert, Paul Byttebier, Sam Van Rossom, Evie Vereecke, Ilse Jonkers, Edwin Oei, Sita M. A. Bierma-Zeinstra, Rik Lories, Marienke van Middelkoop, Stefan Clockaerts
Summary: This study investigates the characteristics of the anterior tibiotalar fat pad (ATFP) in the ankle joint after one year of an ankle sprain and its correlation with systemic factors and local articular pathology. The results suggest that age, body mass index (BMI), and sex are significantly associated with the T1 intensity of ATFP. Age, diffuse cartilage loss in the lateral talus, and Kellgren and Lawrence score in the tibiotalar joint are negatively associated with the area of ATFP. BMI is positively associated with the ATFP area.
Article
Rheumatology
Manouk de Hooge, Alla Ishchenko, Ann-Sophie De Craemer, Serge Steinfeld, Adrien Nzeusseu, Dirk Elewaut, Rik Lories, Kurt de Vlam, Filip van den Bosch
Summary: This study aimed to examine radiographic axial damage of the sacroiliac joints and spine in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) in private and academic Belgian practices. The data comparison between the two patient groups found that patients with SpA tend to have more severe spinal damage compared to those with PsA. In patients with PsA, the cervical spine is more often affected, while in patients with SpA, the location of syndesmophytes is more evenly distributed.
Article
Rheumatology
Manouk de Hooge, Alla Ischenko, Serge Steinfeld, Adrien Nzeusseu, Dirk Elewaut, Rik Lories, Filip van den Bosch, Kurt De Vlam
Summary: This study investigates the association between different definitions of axial involvement and syndesmophytes development in patients with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). The results show that the probability of developing syndesmophytes is much higher when axial involvement is determined radiographically rather than clinically, particularly in the context of high CRP.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mariia Dzhus, Lisa Ehlers, Marjon Wouters, Katrien Jansen, Rik Schrijvers, Lien De Somer, Steven Vanderschueren, Marco Baggio, Leen Moens, Benjamin Verhaaren, Rik Lories, Giorgia Bucciol, Isabelle Meyts
Summary: Deficiency of human adenosine deaminase type 2 (DADA2) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by vasculopathy, immune dysregulation, and hematologic abnormalities. Neurological manifestations, particularly strokes, are a significant feature of DADA2, with brain stem and deep gray matter being commonly affected. Other neurological involvements include neuropathies, focal deficits, ophthalmological findings, convulsions, and headaches. Recognizing the diverse neurological manifestations of DADA2 is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Jeremie Zappia, Qiao Tong, Renee Van der Cruyssen, Frederique M. F. Cornelis, Cecile Lambert, Tiago Pinto Coelho, Juliane Grisart, Erika Kague, Rik J. Lories, Marc Muller, Dirk Elewaut, Chrissy L. Hammond, Christelle Sanchez, Yves Henrotin
Summary: Abnormal subchondral bone remodeling leading to sclerosis is a main feature of osteoarthritis. Osteomodulin (OMD), a proteoglycan, is associated with the sclerotic phenotype. This study found that OMD binds to RANKL and inhibits osteoclastogenesis, thus regulating bone remodeling and contributing to bone and cartilage homeostasis. Targeting OMD may be a promising personalized approach for osteoarthritis.