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Author Spotlight: Analyzing Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Murine Hematological Malignancies
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Bone marrow lesions: plugging the holes in our knowledge using animal models
Rebecca T Hansen1, Chantal Chenu1, Nidhi Sofat2,3
1Skeletal Biology Group, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.
Nature Reviews. Rheumatology
|May 24, 2023
Summary
Bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are early osteoarthritis (OA) indicators linked to pain. Animal models offer a valuable approach to study BML development and pathogenesis due to limited human data.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are early indicators of osteoarthritis (OA) and are associated with pain.
- Understanding the early development and causes of BMLs is limited by a lack of human imaging and tissue samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the utility of animal models for studying BMLs and related subchondral bone changes in osteoarthritis.
- To inform clinicians and researchers on the practical application of these models.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing existing animal models that exhibit BMLs or subchondral cysts.
- Appraising the relevance of these models to human OA and clinical BMLs.
Main Results:
- Animal models with spontaneous OA and pain have reported BMLs and subchondral cysts.
- These models provide a feasible approach to investigate BMLs' early development and pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Animal models are crucial for advancing knowledge on BMLs in OA research.
- Optimal deployment of these models can aid both medical and veterinary fields in understanding and potentially treating OA.
