RUBICON has organised staff exchanges by 21 early stage researchers and 15 experienced researchers. As well as training of the researchers, the exchanges have transferred expertise in advanced experimental models and tools between the participants. Other training activities included 10 public webinars, annual meetings and a workshop on electron microscopy.
Many of the results obtained in RUBICON secondments cannot be disclosed until they are published in peer reviewed journals. Highlights of results that can be disclosed:
-At Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, analysis of mouse articular cartilage revealed this to be a more dynamic tissue than previously thought, with 12% of extractable proteins having a daily rhythm of expression.
-At the University of Cape Town, a study of genetic variations predisposing to anterior crucial ligament injury suggests that variations in some genes involved in inflammation may alter the protein structure in extracellular matrix, and contribute to a higher risk of injury.
-Region Hovedstaden completed a clinical study evaluating whether treatment with IGF-1 can improve recovery from tendinopathy in combination with strength training.
-At Erasmus Medical Centre, a biobank was set up of tendon cells obtained from patients. This can be used to connect tendon disorders with genetic differences, and study the behaviour of human tendon cells.
-Studies of a mouse model of autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type 2 (ADO2) investigated how the affected cell components alter the function of bone osteoclast cells. Also, alterations in lung, kidney and muscle have been characterised in an ADO2 mouse model.
-Rapamycin, an autophagy inducing drug, was tested in a mouse model for mild-to-moderate osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Results show some improvement in bone structure but impaired bone growth, so rapamycin is not considered a suitable therapy for this type of OI.
-At Icahn School of Medicine, USA, an exercise study was performed with a mouse model of Marfan syndrome, to evaluate its potential a model for tendinopathy. Analysis found these mice had smaller tendons compared to normal mice, but showed no evidence of overload or damage due to exercise.
-At Hong Kong University, mouse models of rare skeletal diseases osteochondritis dissecans and spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia were studied. Both exhibit reduced vertebral body height and intervertebral disc degeneration. These results will now be compared to clinical data obtained from patients.
-Studies at University of L’Aquila have confirmed that Lcn2 is involved in interactions between bone osteoblasts and endothelial cells under unloading conditions. It was also confirmed there is no expression of Lcn2 in human tenocytes under either normal or unloading conditions, though its receptor is expressed. However, experiments with mice have observed no alteration of the mouse tendon under unloading conditions.
-At Erasmus Medical Centre, studies of bone and blood vessel cells yielded insights into the roles the extracellular matrix, oxygen tension and the molecule Mucin 1 in the interaction between bone and vessel formation, and in the behaviour of tendon cells.
