Osteoarthritis affects 240 million people worldwide and is one of the most common causes of disability in both humans and animals.
Currently, no therapeutics exist to prevent this disease, but recent multidisciplinary research at Cornell reveals that the application of a proprietary peptide known as SS-31 may protect cartilage from the injury that leads to arthritis.
Dr. Michelle Delco 98, D.V.M. 02, Ph.D. 16, is senior author of Mitoprotective Therapy Prevents Rapid, StrainDependent Mitochondrial Dysfunction After Articular Cartilage Injury, which published Dec. 16 in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research.
Delco is a board-certified large-animal surgeon and assistant research professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Her time spent in clinical practice treating equine athletes for sports injuries motivated her to search for ways to treat and prevent osteoarthritis.
Just like human athletes, horses are particularly prone to injury-related arthritis, Delco said. In human athletes, the disease is often career-ending. In our patients, it can be life-threatening.
While the prevalence of osteoarthritis continues to rise, current drugs target only the symptoms, not the underlying disease itself. Forget preventing osteoarthritis, she said, right now we dont have a single drug that even slows down progression of the disease.
In younger individuals and athletes, arthritis typically develops following joint trauma. But how injury to the cartilage surface is translated into an ongoing degenerative process has been unclear. Delco believes mitochondria, the battery pack of the cell, are key mediators of this injury-to-disease cascade, but there was no direct evidence for that role.
Now, Delco and colleagues in biomedical engineering and physics have found that mitochondria are a linchpin in the bodys response to injury. Theyve also found a drug that can interrupt the injury response.
That drug, SS-31, was developed by Dr. Hazel Szeto, Ph.D. 77, former professor of pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medicine and a co-author of the paper. SS-31 is known to protect and heal mitochondria in other parts of the body.
Delco and her CVM colleagues were the first to explore its effects in cartilage, and revealed in an earlier study that SS-31 helped protect injured chondrocytes days after an injury. Delco wanted to further understand how mitochondria respond to injury, and how SS-31 might protect cells.
Since osteoarthritis is caused by both biological and mechanical factors, she said, we need to evaluate them simultaneously to understand what is happening during injury.
To do this, the team developed a novel experimental setup, one that allowed them to observe and compare huge numbers of cartilage cells and their mitochondria during and immediately after injury.
Typically, to study mitochondria, researchers crush up the tissue and isolate the cells or individual mitochondria, Delco said. But to study the effects of tissue injury, we needed to monitor mitochondrial function in cells within the dense cartilage matrix during a rapid impact. We also had to track the fate of thousands of individual cells over time.
To do this, Delco used a custom-made, spring-loaded piston that was developed with Lawrence Bonassar, the Daljit S. and Elaine Sarkaria Professor in Biomedical Engineering, and Itai Cohen, professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences. The device delivers a single, high-speed impact to cartilage samples. To visualize the physiological effect of injury on cells and their mitochondria, the team used special dyes that indicate if mitochondria are healthy or dysfunctional, and if cells are alive or dead.
Next, the team needed to observe the real-time effects of injury on cartilage which presented an experimental challenge. We needed to collect data at rates of roughly 1,000 points per second and with micron-scale spatial resolution, Delco said.
Delco and her collaborators captured and analyzed these myriad digital images and videos during impact with the help of Lena Bartell, Ph.D. 18, a former member of Cohens lab and first author on the paper.
Lenas expertise in image analysis, statistical modeling and machine learning was instrumental in this study, Delco said. Thats the power of our collaboration every contributor to this study brought a completely different skill set and perspective. Together, we got new insights into these very early events that initiate disease.
Cohen agreed.
Thats the whole point of radical collaboration, he said. It takes the expertise that ranges across the campus and brings it together to do something that neither group could do on their own.
Using their newly developed injury-imaging system, the experiment yielded insights into the fate of individual cells during impact.
We discovered that in control samples, mitochondrial dysfunction is immediate after injury, Delco said. The organelles are responding to the mechanical forces of the impact. They become depolarized like a discharged battery, they can no longer drive energy production. They also become swollen and lose their tightly folded inner membrane structure.
In contrast, the mitochondria in SS-31-treated cartilage maintained their normal, healthy form; dramatically fewer cells died compared with the control samples. Treated samples looked very similar to those that hadnt been injured at all, Delco said.
While SS-31s mechanism of action is not completely known, scientists do know that the peptide enables mitochondria to maintain membrane structure and function during various types of cellular injury referred to as mitoprotection.
Our finding that SS-31 has this protective effect after mechanical injury is exciting, says Delco. It suggests mitoprotection may be a new strategy for preventing arthritis after joint trauma.
Dr. Lisa Fortier, Ph.D. 98, the James Law Professor of Large Animal Surgery, also contributed to this work, which was supported by the NIH, by Weill Cornell Medical College Clinical and Translational Science Center Award Seed Grant, and the Harry M. Zweig Fund for Equine Research.
Lauren Cahoon Roberts is assistant director of communications at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The rest is here:
Collaboration reveals potential new therapy for osteoarthritis - Cornell Chronicle
- Veterinarians among those cut in extensive layoffs at HHS - American Veterinary Medical Association - April 5th, 2025
- Precision Diagnostic Services for Pet Health | Animal Medical Center of ... - April 5th, 2025
- Tony Rumschlag Named Executive Director of Corporate Relations for Purdues College of Veterinary Medicine - Hoosier Ag Today - April 5th, 2025
- Im a veterinarian, and heres the sign that your pet may be nearing the end of its life. - Stewartville Star - April 5th, 2025
- Veterinary college invites Hokies and surrounding community to open house - Virginia Tech News - April 5th, 2025
- Personnel Cuts At FDA Will Limit Agency's Response To Addressing H5N1 And Other Health Issues, AVMA Says - Bovine Veterinarian - April 5th, 2025
- Paws Up brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee - Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine - April 5th, 2025
- Whats to Come April 2025: AAHAs new podcast and upcoming webinars, and more - American Animal Hospital Association - AAHA - April 5th, 2025
- Sitka vet retires after over 50 years of serving his community via pro bono work - Alaska's News Source - April 5th, 2025
- Bill To Address Vet Shortage Reintroduced - KSAL News - April 5th, 2025
- Congress renews call to recruit and retain veterinarians in areas of need - DVM360 - April 5th, 2025
- States with the highest cases of parasite-borne diseases in cats and dogs - DVM360 - April 5th, 2025
- Wellness in the veterinary profession - DVM360 - April 5th, 2025
- More Than 99% Of US Dogs Have A Behavior Problem, Texas A&M Researcher Finds - Texas A&M Today - April 5th, 2025
- The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act hopes to attract vets to rural America - RFD-TV - April 5th, 2025
- USU forging path to becoming first four-year veterinary school in Utah - The Herald Journal - April 5th, 2025
- 6 Steps for Reforming the Council on Education - Today's Veterinary Business - April 5th, 2025
- CSI Vet Tech Program is looking to fill the gap as industry professionals struggle with the job - KIVI-TV - April 5th, 2025
- Georgetown resident leads Indiana Veterinary Medical Association board - News and Tribune - April 5th, 2025
- Signs that your dog's naughty behavior could have serious consequences - KHOU - April 5th, 2025
- Join UC Davis Vet Med and UC Health for Webinar on Bird Flu - Morning Ag Clips - - February 7th, 2025
- Long Island University veterinary medicine college renamed for prominent animal rights advocates Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt - Newsday - February 7th, 2025
- Dr. Dani Walker: Keeping McAfee Animal Hospital patients happy and healthy for 20 years and counting - Valpo.Life - February 7th, 2025
- Grants awarded globally to 20 spay and neuter programs - DVM 360 - February 7th, 2025
- New Amateur Member Brings Her Veterinary Experience And Focus On Welfare To USHJA Board - The Chronicle of the Horse - February 7th, 2025
- How vet schools are trying to address the mental health challenges plaguing veterinarians - PBS NewsHour - February 7th, 2025
- Legislation filed to pave the way for MSU School of Veterinary Medicine - WHOP - February 7th, 2025
- Wildfires and wildlife - DVM 360 - February 7th, 2025
- Exploring the rise in tick populations - DVM 360 - February 7th, 2025
- This chief medical officer got her start as a veterinarian, the 'hottest' job for 2025Heres her advice for getting into the hugely growing industry -... - February 7th, 2025
- DR. DENA LODATO SELECTED AS TOP VETERINARY SURGEON OF THE DECADE BY IAOTP - EIN News - February 7th, 2025
- Long Island University honors the Lewyts, renames veterinary school - Long Island Press - February 7th, 2025
- Reptiland cited for birds being crushed and killed - NorthcentralPA.com - February 7th, 2025
- Introducing the reinvigorated AVMA Career Center - American Veterinary Medical Association - December 19th, 2024
- Zoetis Responds to FDAs Dear Veterinarian Letter - Today's Veterinary Business - December 19th, 2024
- Nonprofit seeks to boost sustainability in veterinary realm - VIN News Service - December 19th, 2024
- Patty Scharko, 2024 Distinguished Veterinarian of the Year - Clemson News - December 19th, 2024
- Local Students Scrub in as Veterinarians for a Day, Gaining Hands-On Experience and Immersive Training at the World's Largest Veterinary Conference -... - December 19th, 2024
- 2024 Year in Review - Clemson News - December 19th, 2024
- Paws and profits: New leadership in the veterinary industry - DVM 360 - December 19th, 2024
- AAHAs DEIB committee: Its evolution, key values, and future - AAHA - December 19th, 2024
- Top Science Stories of 2024 - Tufts Now - December 19th, 2024
- Tips to keep your pets safe during the holiday season - Oklahoma City Sentinel - December 19th, 2024
- Coalition for Veterinary Professional Associates Calls for Action: Addressing the Veterinary Workforce Shortage and Advancing the OneHealth Initiative... - December 19th, 2024
- Should They Stay Or Should They Go? Things To Know Before Taking Pets On Holiday Trips - Texas A&M University Today - December 19th, 2024
- Simple enrichment reduces boredom and boosts welfare in housed dairy cows - EurekAlert - December 19th, 2024
- Meet our Support Staff | Animal Medical Center of Loudoun - December 6th, 2024
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital teams work together on dog's medical mystery - Virginia Tech - December 6th, 2024
- Leptospirosis in dogs and vets - DVM 360 - December 6th, 2024
- Considerations, risks, and challenges: Recent book focuses on pregnancy and postpartum in veterinary practice - AAHA - December 6th, 2024
- Apply to be an AVMA COE site visitor - American Veterinary Medical Association - December 6th, 2024
- Living her dream as a wildlife veterinarian - Union College - December 6th, 2024
- We look back on a year of accomplishments and reflect on goals for 2025 - HSUS News - December 6th, 2024
- Having A Paw-some Holiday: Keeping Pets Safe, Happy And Included - Texas A&M University Today - December 6th, 2024
- Shaping the future: CSUs veterinary medicine program trains through innovation - Rocky Mountain Collegian - December 6th, 2024
- The problem with the 'gold standard' - DVM 360 - December 6th, 2024
- Shaping the Future of Veterinary Medicine: VMX 2025 to Advance Health Care for Beloved Pets, Wildlife and Species Across the Animal Kingdom - from... - December 6th, 2024
- Purdue research can help slow down growth of Alzheimers and Parkinsons - Purdue Exponent - December 6th, 2024
- Dermatology red flags and allergy mimickers - DVM 360 - December 6th, 2024
- Career Opportunities | Animal Medical Center of Loudoun - November 3rd, 2024
- Compassionate End-of-Life Care for Pets | Animal Medical Center of Loudoun - November 3rd, 2024
- Hormone Hassle: Managing Addisons Disease In Pets - Texas A&M University Today - November 3rd, 2024
- Proposition 129 is a dangerous step backward for veterinary care - The Fence Post - November 3rd, 2024
- Prop 129 introduces a new position to veterinary care - KJCT - November 3rd, 2024
- Managing seizures in dogs and cats - DVM 360 - November 3rd, 2024
- Why Are Cats So Flexible? This Body Part Is Key - Inverse - November 3rd, 2024
- Those pets need the same care as our dogs and cats: New Bluefield vet treats exotic animals - WVVA - November 3rd, 2024
- Letter to the editor: As a veterinarian, I urge you to vote no on Prop 129 - Summit Daily - November 3rd, 2024
- Weatherford vet among four appointed to state board - Weatherford Democrat - November 3rd, 2024
- The Vets and BetterVet Merge to Revolutionize Pet Care with Nationwide At-Home Services - Vet Candy - November 3rd, 2024
- Struggling with high pet med costs? Canada's competition watchdog calls for more choice and affordable options - CBC.ca - November 3rd, 2024
- Guest opinion: Kerry Madole: Prop 129 will help us move towards ensuring all animals receive the care they need - Boulder Daily Camera - November 3rd, 2024
- This Auburn grad found an amazing alternative to vet school in Huntsville - Hville Blast - November 3rd, 2024
- What Is Colorados Proposition 129? Here is Everything You Need to Know - Teekinship - November 3rd, 2024
- Meet our Team | Animal Medical Center of Loudoun - October 14th, 2024
- Your Trusted Family Veterinarian in Ashburn & Brambleton, VA | Animal ... - October 14th, 2024
- Meet our Veterinarians | Animal Medical Center of Loudoun - October 14th, 2024
- Thank you, next! Celebrating career paths of the veterinary technician - DVM 360 - October 14th, 2024
- Better Choice Company to Expand into Veterinary Medicine in 2025 Following the Acquisition of SRx Health - GlobeNewswire - October 14th, 2024
- In memoriam: Bernard Jortner, professor emeritus of biomedical sciences and pathobiology - Virginia Tech - October 14th, 2024