https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:4133 The effect of cyclic fluid perfusion on the proinflammatory tissue environment in osteoarthritis using equine joint-on-a-chip models Heidenberger, Johannes Johannes Heidenberger 0009-0005-9074-6395 Reihs, Eva I. Eva I. Reihs Strauss, Jonathan Jonathan Strauss Frauenlob, Martin Martin Frauenlob Gültekin, Sinan Sinan Gültekin 0000-0002-4962-8451 University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Gerner, Iris Iris Gerner 0000-0001-6618-2669 University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Tögel, Stefan Stefan Tögel Ertl, Peter Peter Ertl 0000-0002-7625-2445 Windhager, Reinhard Reinhard Windhager Jenner, Florien Florien Jenner 0000-0002-6977-1984 University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Rothbauer, Mario Mario Rothbauer 0000-0002-9928-3631 Royal Society of Chemistry journal article open access eng Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder characterized by cartilage degradation, chronic inflammation, and progressive joint dysfunction. Despite rising incidences driven by ageing and increasing obesity, potent treatments remain elusive, exacerbating the socioeconomic burden. OA pathogenesis involves an imbalance in extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, mediated by inflammatory cytokines and matrix-degrading enzymes, leading to oxidative stress, chondrocyte apoptosis, and ECM degradation. Additionally, synovial inflammation (synovitis) plays a critical role in disease progression through molecular crosstalk with cartilage and other joint tissues. Existing in vitro and in vivo OA models face significant limitations in replicating human pathophysiology, particularly the complex interplay between joint tissues. Equine models, due to their anatomical and cellular similarities to humans, offer translational relevance but remain underutilized. This study aims to develop an advanced 3D coculture system using equine chondrocytes and synoviocytes to simulate tissue-level interactions and fluid mechanical forces involved in OA. By incorporating inflammatory stimuli and gravity-driven cyclic fluid actuation, this model enables the study of OA-related molecular interactions in both healthy and diseased conditions under dynamic fluid conditions. Findings from this research provide important insights into pathological tissue crosstalk. In turn, this can help to better understand underlying inflammatory pathways and the potential contribution of fluid flow as an influential factor on the tissue microenvironment. Animals Horses Osteoarthritis Pathology Osteoarthritis Metabolism Chondrocytes Pathology Chondrocytes Cytology Chondrocytes Metabolism Lab-On-A-Chip Devices Inflammation Pathology Synoviocytes Pathology Synoviocytes Cytology Synoviocytes Metabolism Coculture Techniques Perfusion Joints Pathology Cells, Cultured http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/api/object/o:4133/download 10.1039/d4lc01078g https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:605 application/pdf Lab on a Chip issn:1473-0189 VoR Lab on a Chip 25 9 1.97 MB 2025