Our work is focused on assessing inflammatory pathways driven by Osteoarthritis (OA)-associated alarmins or DAMPs (damage-associated molecular patterns). We are currently exploring the signalling events triggered by DAMPs in macrophages and synovial fibroblasts and have identified a number of molecules/pathways activated by OA-associated basic calcium phosphate crystals and S00A8/A9 proteins. We are also conducting a detailed study assessing the impact of traditional and novel orthopaedic implant materials on the host immune system, stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration.
The Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases 