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Animal Models of Osteoarthritis: Challenges of Model Selection and Analysis

  • Review Article
  • Theme: Human and Veterinary Therapeutics: Interspecies Extrapolations and Shared Challenges
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ABSTRACT

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disease, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. New treatment approaches require an understanding of the pathophysiology of OA and its biomechanical, inflammatory, genetic, and environmental risk factors. The purpose of animal models of OA is to reproduce the pattern and progression of degenerative damage in a controlled fashion, so that opportunities to monitor and modulate symptoms and disease progression can be identified and new therapies developed. This review discusses the features, strengths, and weaknesses of the common animal models of OA; considerations to be taken when choosing a method for experimental induction of joint degeneration; and the challenges of measuring of OA progression and symptoms in these models.

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Acknowledgment

This publication was made possible by NIH Grant Numbers RO1-AR056834, R41 AR057276 and 2P20 GM104937 and the Lucy Lippitt Endowment. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

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Correspondence to Erin Teeple.

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Guest Editor: Marilyn Martinez

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Teeple, E., Jay, G.D., Elsaid, K.A. et al. Animal Models of Osteoarthritis: Challenges of Model Selection and Analysis. AAPS J 15, 438–446 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-013-9454-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-013-9454-x

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