Signaling pathways involved in inflammatory response in osteoarthritis 3D culture models

• Grant number: 17/07009-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2017
• End date: March 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Agreement: GlaxoSmithKline
• Principal Investigator: Denise Vilarinho Tambourgi
• Grantee: Giuliano Bonfá
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/50040-4 - Rational approach for searching molecular targets involved in inflammatory events and cell survival, AP.PCPE

Abstract

The inflammatory response involved in osteoarthritis will be studied in 3D culture models. This model allows to closely reproducing the microenvironment of the joints, once different cell types can be co-cultured, such as chondrocytes, osteocytes and fibroblasts. Immune cells can also be added to these models, allowing the study of their roles on the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Cultures will be stimulated by toxins isolated from different venomous animals, whose pro-inflammatory activities had been previously described, and the expression and production of molecules involved with inflammation will be evaluated. After this initial in vitro screening, some toxins will be chosen for better elucidate the signaling pathways triggered in the different cell types present in the 3D culture. The study of signaling pathways will involve different assays, such as the use of specific inhibitors and the intracellular staining of signaling molecules, which will be analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, including co-localization and tracking assays. These studies will enable the identification of novel signaling molecules involved with the inflammatory response, possibly novel targets for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs specific for the treatment of osteoarthritis. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

VILLAS-BOAS, ISADORA MARIA; BONFA, GIULIANO; TAMBOURGI, DENISE V.. Venomous caterpillars: From inoculation apparatus to venom composition and envenomation. Toxicon, v. 153, p. 39-52, OCT 2018. (15/50040-4, 17/07009-4, 13/50158-0)