Modelling Osteoporosis in Pre-Clinical Research-Challenges, Trends and New Approaches

Area of Science:

• Bone biology and disease modeling
• Osteoporosis research
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Osteoporosis affects 200 million worldwide, characterized by low bone mass and increased fracture risk.
• Prevalence is rising due to demographic shifts, necessitating advanced research models.
• Current research faces challenges with animal model transferability and ethical considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and discuss current in vivo, in vitro, and in silico models for osteoporosis research.
• To highlight advancements in sophisticated in vitro platforms for studying bone disease.
• To explore the potential of new models for personalized medicine and reduced animal testing.

Main Methods:

• Review of in vivo (e.g., ovariectomized mouse) and in vitro (e.g., on-a-chip, bioreactors) osteoporosis models.
• Discussion of technological improvements in in vitro modeling.
• Inclusion of in silico approaches in the research landscape.

Main Results:

• In vivo models, while standard, have limitations in human transferability and raise ethical concerns.
• Sophisticated in vitro models enable the use of complex human cell systems and 3D structures.
• Advancements facilitate personalized precision medicine and offer alternatives to animal testing.

Conclusions:

• Sophisticated in vitro models are crucial for bridging the gap between animal studies and human application.
• These advanced models hold promise for developing personalized osteoporosis treatments.
• The future of osteoporosis research involves integrating advanced in vitro and in silico methods to reduce reliance on animal models.