In Vivo Model Development for Osteoarthritis

Protheragen offers a comprehensive in vivo osteoarthritis (OA) model development service designed to accelerate preclinical research and therapeutic discovery. Leveraging a broad spectrum of well-validated animal models and cutting-edge analytical platforms, our service provides tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of OA research, from early mechanistic studies to advanced efficacy evaluation of candidate interventions.

Osteoarthritis is a complex, multifactorial joint disease characterized by cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone remodeling, and synovial inflammation. Animal models are indispensable in elucidating OA pathophysiology and evaluating novel therapeutic strategies. At Protheragen, we utilize a wide array of species—including mice (various strains such as C57BL/6 and Balb/c), rats (Sprague Dawley, Wistar, Lewis), rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs (Beagle), sheep, goats, minipigs, and horses. Each species and strain offers distinct advantages in recapitulating specific aspects of human OA, such as spontaneous disease development, joint anatomy, or response to mechanical and biochemical insults. Our models encompass surgical, chemical, dietary, genetic, and advanced organ-on-a-chip approaches, ensuring high translational relevance and flexibility for diverse research objectives.

Surgically-Induced Models

Surgically-induced OA models involve direct mechanical alteration of joint structures, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection, meniscectomy, or partial meniscus resection. These procedures are performed in a variety of species, including mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, sheep, and goats. The methodology allows precise control over the timing and severity of joint injury, enabling reproducible induction of OA-like pathology. Advantages include rapid disease onset, well-characterized progression, and high relevance for studying post-traumatic OA and evaluating disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs). These models are widely used for testing pharmacological agents, cell therapies, biomaterials, and surgical interventions.

Chemically-Induced Models

Chemically-induced OA models utilize intra-articular injection of agents such as sodium 2-iodoacetate, papain, collagenase, or L-cysteine to provoke cartilage degradation and joint inflammation. These models are established in rodents, rabbits, and guinea pigs. The methodology is minimally invasive, highly reproducible, and allows for rapid induction of OA features. Key advantages include controlled dosing, straightforward implementation, and suitability for high-throughput screening. Chemically-induced models are ideal for investigating pain mechanisms, inflammatory pathways, and assessing the efficacy of anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective compounds.

Genetic and Transgenic Models

Genetic and transgenic OA models involve the use of animals with spontaneous or engineered mutations affecting cartilage, bone, or metabolic pathways (e.g., STR/ort mice, Prg4 knockout, SLC39A8 conditional transgenic, Adamts5 knockout). These models mimic aspects of human OA etiology, including age-related and metabolic OA. The methodology encompasses selective breeding or targeted gene editing. Advantages include modeling of chronic, progressive OA and the ability to dissect molecular mechanisms underlying disease susceptibility and progression. These models are instrumental for target validation, biomarker discovery, and studying gene-environment interactions.

Dietary and Metabolic Models

Dietary models induce OA through high-fat or specialized diets, often combined with mechanical or genetic factors, to mimic metabolic syndrome-associated OA. These are mainly performed in mice and rats. The methodology involves controlled feeding regimens that induce obesity and metabolic disturbances, contributing to joint degeneration. Advantages include modeling the interplay between systemic metabolic factors and joint health, thus reflecting a prevalent OA phenotype in humans. These models are valuable for evaluating interventions targeting metabolic pathways and lifestyle modifications.

Organ-on-a-Chip and In Vitro 3D Models

Organ-on-a-chip and advanced in vitro models use microfluidic platforms incorporating human-derived chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and engineered cartilage constructs. These models simulate mechanical loading, chemical injury, or inflammatory conditions in a controlled environment. Advantages include high translational relevance, reduction in animal use, and the ability to perform mechanistic studies with human cells. Applications include drug screening, toxicity testing, and mechanistic research on cartilage and bone interactions.

Protheragen delivers an end-to-end OA model development solution, encompassing model selection, surgical or chemical induction, animal care, experimental design, and multi-modal analysis. Key efficacy endpoints include histopathological assessment (OARSI scoring), imaging (micro-CT, MRI), behavioral pain assays, joint function measurements, biomarker analysis (ELISA, qPCR, immunohistochemistry), and advanced omics profiling. Our analytical capabilities extend to biomechanical testing, gait analysis, and digital image quantification. Rigorous quality control is maintained through standardized protocols, validated reagents, and ethical compliance, ensuring reproducibility and scientific integrity. Customization is available to align with specific research goals or regulatory requirements.

Partnering with Protheragen grants you access to a diverse portfolio of validated OA models, expert scientific guidance, and comprehensive analytical support—streamlining your path from discovery to preclinical proof-of-concept. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and client collaboration ensures robust, translatable results for your osteoarthritis research. Contact us today to discuss your project needs and accelerate your OA therapeutic development.