New organ-on-a-chip provides hope to arthritis sufferers

Researchers have developed a 3D organ-on-a-chip, complete with blood vessels, that mimics the human joint. The discovery will help researchers understand the pathology of joint diseases better and assist with the identification and testing of new treatments for arthritis.

Arthritic joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, are characterized by inflammation of the synovium, the membrane that lines joint cavities and produces viscous fluid that lubricates the joint, preventing wear while it’s in motion. Other than treating the pain and swelling associated with the debilitating condition, there’s no cure.

Synovium-targeted therapies hold great potential for the treatment of arthritic joint disease but require a model that accurately replicates complex human physiology. Now, researchers at the Queen Mary University of London have done that, creating a 3D organ-on-a-chip that contains human synovial cells and blood vessel cells.

“Our model is the first human, vascularized, synovium-on-a-chip with applied mechanical loading and successfully replicates a number of key features of native synovium biology,” said Timothy Hopkins, one of the study’s co-authors.

Moreover, the model was developed using a commercially available platform that doesn’t require specialist knowledge of device design and fabrication, making it suitable for widespread use.

Image source: Timothy Hopkins/Queen Mary University of London.