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Dopamine and Bone Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with local bone erosion and systemic osteoporosis, which leads to severe disability and low quality of life. Although treatment with biologics can reduce bone loss by inhibiting inflammation, biologics are not able to achieve bone repair and some patients do not respond sufficiently to the treatment. Therefore, an efficient long-term therapeutic approach to target bone erosion and osteopenia still need to be established. Here, we describe a possible involvement of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) in bone metabolism and how we aim to use this new pathway to control bone erosion and restore bone mass in RA.

The involvement of DA on joint inflammation in RA was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo, and an elevated concentration of DA in the synovial fluid of RA patients was also described. Moreover, we recently described that DA is produced in RA synovial tissue and can act in an autocrine/paracrine manner. However, it is still unclear which role local DA can exert on bone erosion in RA. We performed preliminary experiments and could confirm the presence of DRs in RA bone remodeling zone and in osteoblasts isolated from RA. Moreover, DR activation stimulated IL-6. This confirms the active role of local DA also on bone metabolism in RA.

Goal of the present study is therefore to elucidate the mechanisms of action of DA in bone remodeling in RA, in order to find out how to modulate this pathway to control bone erosion and stimulate bone formation in RA. Specifically, we will address the following issues: 1) To identify the mechanisms responsible for DRs expression in RA bone remodeling zone, 2) To define mechanisms of action of DRs on bone metabolism in the context of RA 3) To prove the clinical applicability of DA modulation in arthritic joints towards an anti-inflammatory and bone-protective path. Final goal of this project is to establish a new therapeutic approach to block bone erosion and restore bone mass in RA.

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MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015

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Coordinator

FORSCHUNGSGESELLSCHAFT FUR ARBEITSPHYSIOLOGIE UND ARBEITSSCHUTZ EV
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 171 460,80
Address
ARDEYSTRASSE 67
44139 Dortmund
Germany

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Region
Nordrhein-Westfalen Arnsberg Dortmund, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 171 460,80
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