Can the ‘OA skeletal muscle’ phenotype be recreated in vitro?/ Using in vitro, bioengineered models of skeletal muscle to investigate treatment modalities for OA

Background

People with osteoarthritis (OA) often suffer from thigh muscle weakness, particularly following an injury or bed rest. If we understand the factors which contribute to this weakness, we will hopefully be able to develop treatments to improve joint health.  

Conducting muscle experiments on people who have arthritis is difficult since, to carry out the research, muscle biopsies are often needed (an invasive procedure).

What the research hopes to achieve

This project uses muscle that can be grown in the lab to look at the factors that lead to to muscle wasting and weakness. The aim of the research is to look at what effect mechanical forces have on the development of muscle weakness. The goal is to develop exercise and loading strategies to prevent muscle weakness in OA sufferers and those at risk from developing OA.