Mechano-activation of synovial fibroblasts and macrophages during OA progression in the dynamically stiffening synovial microenvironment
This study demonstrates the complex cellular dynamics and crosstalk that differentiate the evolution of the pathological synovial response in the fibrotic DMM condition relative to surgical sham controls. Our findings highlight mechanotransduction as a central mechanism driving OA synovial pathogenesis and underscore the utility of the DMM model as a platform to dissect the molecular underpinnings of synovial fibrosis.
Authors
- Sung Yeon Kim
- Tristan Maerz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4523-6012)
- Bryan Kwok (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5178-8219)
- Vu Nguyen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4363-9803)
- Qiushi Liang
- Easton C. Farrell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0339-7951)
- Alexander J. Knights (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8402-2212)
- Baofeng Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2954-9056)
- Lance A. Murphy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8627-6582)
- L. Han
- Carla R. Scanzello (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9290-188X)
- Rob Mauck
- Kate Sharp
- Alexandra Kahn
- Kevin G Burt
- Ling Qin
Institutions
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
- University of Michigan (US)
- ETH Zurich (CH)
- Philadelphia VA Medical Center (US)
- Drexel University (US)
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Philadelphia University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
- Published
- 2026-02-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.16.706240
- Primary Topic
- Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- University of Pennsylvania
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation
- Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders