Identification of biomarkers in osteoarthritis

Overview

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over half a million New Zealanders and represents a diverse spectrum of pathological processes culminating in joint damage and loss of function.

Recent research has highlighted an inflammatory phenotype of OA, suggesting potential for repurposing existing therapies to target early inflammation and halt disease progression. However, identifying patients with inflammatory OA typically relies on imaging modalities such as ultrasound or MRI, which are resource-intensive and impractical for widespread screening.

Developing a cost-effective biomarker for early inflammatory OA could revolutionise diagnostic and treatment approaches, enabling timely intervention and preventing irreversible joint damage. One such phenotype, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), has been implicated in cartilage degeneration, with specific p53 isoforms showing promise as potential biomarkers.

This project aims to build on pilot data to identify patients with the SASP phenotype, potentially identifying pathways for targeted therapeutic interventions based on specific inflammatory cytokine signatures.

Useful information

• Graduate research at the University of Otago
• Scholarships at the University of Otago