A team of University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a 3D human micro-joint chip (mJoint) physiologically analogous to joints and capable of modelling pathogenesis of joint disease to allow for the development of disease-modifying medications (DMMs) for arthritic disorders.
Description
Aging along with inflammation, infection, and trauma can all cause damage to joint tissue resulting in arthritic disorders. These disorders can be debilitating, significantly impacting on quality of life. Challenges in developing treatments for these conditions have been exacerbated by the lack of a suitable model that fully represents the multi-tissue nature. This device aims to overcome these challenges.
Applications
1. Osteoarthritis (OA)
2. Septic Arthritis
3. Inflammatory arthritis
4. Joint conditions
Advantages
Previous research into DMMs for OA and other arthritic joint conditions has focused on specific tissue components of the joint. However, OA is now understood to be an organ disease affecting multiple tissues and systemic influences. Other research has used young animal models, the results of which are not directly translatable to clinical trials on age- or obesity-associated OA. New preclinical models are required to improve the study of DMMs for OA given that the existing in vitro and animal models have led to a high rate of failure in clinical trials and when used therapeutically.
This new preclinical model will overcome the existing challenges in current models using a personalizable 3D mJoint containing all components of a human joint including cartilage, bone, synovium, and infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP). The mJoint aims to replicate the in vivo conditions in human OA and other arthritic conditions, meaning experimental results will be more clinically relevant.
Invention Readiness
A prototype bioreactor has been developed. Further research is required to optimize the bioreactor with a view to tissue-specific stimulation. Osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts required for the mJoint were successfully produced using induced pluripotent stem cells. These were seeded with a photocrosslinkable methacrylated gelatin to mimic collagen found in the joint tissue matrix to produce a prototype bioreactor.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220243157A1
