The Biomechanical Synovium

In the realm of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, a significant fraction of patients does not respond adequately to current therapies, highlighting a critical gap in our understanding and modeling of the disease`s molecular and cellular dynamics. This gap may stem from overlooked critical disease components, including specific cell subpopulations and the complex biomechanical environment of the synovium, which have not been adequately represented in existing in vitro and in vivo models. Addressing this deficiency, our project proposes the development of a cutting-edge biomechanical synovial organoid model, leveraging physiological biomechanical actuation as a pivotal cultivation parameter. This innovative approach aims to revolutionize our understanding of RA modelling by introducing the first human biomechanical synovium-on-a-chip, designed for drug screening while potentially reducing reliance on traditional rodent models. This initiative not only underscores the critical role of mechanosignaling in tissue health and dysfunction but also pioneers a novel methodology for studying synovial mechanobiology`s impact on RA treatment, thus opening new avenues for combinatorial drug modalities and advancing the field towards more effective, human-relevant therapeutic strategies.