PhD Fellow Joonas Kosonen

One of the hallmarks of osteoarthritis progression is cartilage degeneration, driven partly by cartilage cells. However, the mechanisms triggering the cell-driven cartilage degeneration and tissue adaptation are poorly understood. Thus, in this thesis we investigate, how different cell-level mechanisms contribute to cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis progression in injured cartilage.

To provide insight into the cartilage degradation mechanisms, we implement computational models to assess cell-driven cartilage degeneration after biomechanical (excessive loading triggered degradation) and biochemical (pro-inflammatory cytokine, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), triggered degradation) stimulus.

Previous experiments show that these factors may cause cell death, oxidative stress, and cell damage, promoting cartilage proteoglycan (PG) degeneration. These degradative factors will be simulated first (A) with tissue-level models. With the new numerical model, we will also  assess potential intervention strategies to mitigate cell death and cartilage degradation and potential tissue recovery. The model will be (B) calibrated against new in vitro biological experiments. 

Finally, the new cell-driven tissue-level degradation model will be augmented into (C) the joint-level models of articular cartilage to estimate patients’ cartilage health. Improved joint-level models could supplement the current models by providing novel tools to better estimate cartilage adaptation and avail new intervention strategy development.

Joonas holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Eastern Finland, Department of Technical Physics within Medical Physics. See more information about Joonas’ work here.