Deciphering and Targeting Cholinergic Signaling to Treat Osteoarthritis
Scientific research offers solutions to combat disease with novel treatment options. It is vital to the well-being of humanity, as advancements in medical technology have far-reaching impacts on global health.
Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability in older adults, characterised by the loss of articular cartilage that cushions the joint during movement.
This project integrates collaborative research in rheumatology and biomedical engineering to advance osteoarthritis treatment.
It aims to investigate the role of the non-neuronal cholinergic system in osteoarthritis pain and inflammation, as well as to dissect the intertwined neuronal and chondrogenic cholinergic systems in vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) treatment.
Additionally, it will evaluate the database and serum biobank from a randomised controlled trial on VNS treatment in patients with inflammatory hand osteoarthritis.
The PolyU research team has established a long-standing collaboration with French experts. Their collective expertise and pilot studies have addressed technical challenges related to vagus nerve stimulation in small animal models, the monitoring of in vivo cholinergic activity, and the interactions between acetylcholinesterase and the α7-nAChR.
They anticipate elucidating the interaction between neuronal and chondrogenic cholinergic signalling proteins in the pathogenesis of inflammatory osteoarthritis, with the vision of developing a novel neuromodulation therapy.
This project is supported by the French National Research Agency (Agence Nationale de la Recherche)/Research Grants Council Joint Research Scheme (ANR/RGC JRS) - 2024/25 Exercise. It is undertaken in collaboration with Prof. Jeremie Sellam, Professor of the Department of Rheumatology of Sorbonne University in France.
The ANR/RGC JRS aims to strengthen the collaboration between French and Hong Kong research communities. Both basic and applied research proposals of high academic merits in all areas are invited under the scheme.
