CUIJBP Research
The University of Colorado Interdisciplinary Joint Biology Program provides a unique opportunity for researchers to utilize our robust sample biobank to facilitate cellular and molecular research of inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases.
Below is a summary of the projects supported through our sample biobank and team of investigators.
Brain Circuits of Acute and Chronic Joint Pain
Investigator: Yoni Asher, PhD, University of Colorado, Division of General Internal Medicine
The goal of this project is to investigate if functional MRI can be used to study the distinct brain pathways supporting acute vs. chronic knee pain and to develop an initial brain biomarker predictive of chronic knee pain in patients.
Characterization of Ovine Intervertebral Discs and Comparison with Human Intervertebral Disc
Co-investigators: Jeremiah Easley, PhD and Andres Bonilla, PhD, Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Vikas Patel, MD, University of Colorado, Department of Orthopedic.
The purpose of this work is to evaluate the transcriptomic profile of human degenerated cervical and lumbar IVDs relative to the transcriptome of the same tissues from an ovine model of degenerative disc disease.
Determinants of Nickel Sensitization in Joint Failure Patients
Co-Investigators: Shaodong Dai, PhD, University of Colorado, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karen Pacheco, MD, MSPH and Craig Hogan, MD, University of Colorado, Department of Orthopedics
The primary aims of this project will be to compare Ni2+ specific CD4+ T cell repertoires in synovial fluid compared to blood from implant failure patients and to determine DR53 or other HLA restriction of Ni2+specific APCs in joint tissue compared to blood.
Evaluating Neuropathic and Nociplastic Pain in Patients with Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis
Co-Investigators: Carly Conran, MD, and Larry Moreland, MD University of Colorado, Division of Rheumatology, Carson Keeter, MS, Michael Dayton, MD and Craig Hogan, MD, University of Colorado, Department of Orthopedics
The goal of this project is to evaluate chronic pain in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis that has been classically attributed to nociceptive pain pathways.
Examination of Body Mass Index and Inflammation as Contributors to End Stage Osteoarthritis
Co-Investigators: Patrick Carry, PhD and Cheryl Ackert-Bicknell, PhD, University of Colorado, Department of Orthopedics
This project aims to test the causal effect of inflammation and early onset (childhood) BMI on end stage OA (occurrence of total knee and/or total hip joint arthroplasty) in the UK biobank. Building on prior work, this project this project will evaluate whether prior injury history modifies the association between inflammation and end stage OA.
Examining the role of inflammation and early synovial immune cell infiltration in the development of the OA of obesity
Co-Investigators: Lacey Favazzo, PhD, Michael Zuscik, PhD, Cheryl Ackert-Bicknell, PhD, University of Colorado, Department of Orthopedics, and Larry Moreland, MD, University of Colorado, Division of Rheumatology
The primary aim of this project is to investigate whether pro-inflammatory dysregulation of the synovium takes place in obese human subjects prior to evidence of histological damage.
Next-Generation Imaging Biomarkers for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Co-Investigators: Corey Neu, PhD, University of Colorado, Boulder, College of Engineering and Bioscience and Larry Moreland, MD, University of Colorado, Division of Rheumatology
The aims of this project are to demonstrate dualMRI strain differences between healthy and rheumatoid arthritis patients in vivo and to compare dualMRI and qMRI measures as a surrogate for tissue health and function.
Probing Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis by Noninvasive Imaging of Cartilage Strain
Co-Investigators: Corey Neu, PhD, University of Colorado, Boulder and Rachel Frank, MD, University of Colorado, Department of Orthopedics
The goal of this project is to learn more about mechanisms for that improve early detection of damage of cartilage and bone in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction via novel noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
RNA Profiling and Multispectral Immunohistochemical Analysis of Complement and Other Innate Immune Factors in the Synovium Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Co-Investigators: Nirmal K. Banda, PhD University of Colorado, Division of Rheumatology and Rachel M. Frank, MD, University of Colorado, Department of Orthopedics
The two primary aims of this pilot project will be to quantitate complement gene expression and innate immune factors from synovial tissue and blood after ACL injury and to determine, using multispectral immunohistochemistry, complement protein expression and innate immune cells in synovial tissue at the time of ACL injury.
Single cell transcriptional Profiling of Femoral Head Mononuclear Cells as a Comparator of Acute Melogenous Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Co-Investigators: Craig Jordan, PhD, Brett Stevens, PhD, Eric Pietras, PhD Sweta Patel, PhD, and Austin Gillen, PhD, University of Colorado, Division of Hematology
This Project aims to further our understanding of genetic and molecular signatures related to disease pathogenesis in AML and MDS.