A Compartmentalized Joint-on-chip (JoC) Model to Unravel the Contribution of Cartilage and Synovium to Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disorder causing pain and disability, yet effective treatments are limited due to incomplete understanding of pathogenic mechanisms involving complex tissue interactions. Articular cartilage degradation is a hallmark, resulting from an imbalance in extracellular matrix turnover, influenced by mechanical and biochemical signals. The synovium also plays a central role in joint inflammation, with macrophages and fibroblasts releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and degradative enzymes. However, understanding cartilage-synovium interactions in OA pathogenesis remains challenging. Here, a compartmentalized joint-on-chip (JoC) model that enables independent culture of 3D human cartilage and synovium constructs, allowing spatio-temporal control over their communicati

SUBMITTER: Palma C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12622499 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature