Candidate: Rachel E. Miller, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Medicine (Division of Rheumatology) at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Dr. Miller is seeking a Mentored Research Scientist Development Award in order to obtain additional training in neurobiology and physiology laboratory techniques necessary for her to develop an independent research program focused on better understanding the mechanophysiology of OA pain. Specifically, Dr. Miller will receive training in electrophysiology and calcium signaling techniques, as well as training in applying custom-built mechanical loading. Therefore, this career development award will complement her graduate and postdoctoral training by providing her with the additional expertise necessary for forging an independent research program bridging: musculoskeletal biology, biomechanics, neuroscience, and physiology. This research is expected to provide novel insights into the signaling pathways responsible for the pain associated with aberrant mechanical loading, which could ultimately be translated into improved therapeutics for OA. This award would enable her to devote 75% FTE to the training and science proposed. In addition to scientific training, she will benefit from attendance and presentation in seminars and scientific meetings, training in the responsible conduct of research, and training in manuscript writing and grantsmanship. Environment: Dr. Miller recently accepted an Assistant Professor position at Rush University in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology. The Rush Arthritis and Orthopedics Institute, comprising the Departments of Orthopedics, Anatomy & Cell Biology, Rheumatology, and Biochemistry, provides an academic translational research community that combines excellent basic and clinical research for the study of osteoarthritis. In addition, the close proximity to Northwestern Medical Campus allows for close collaboration with experts in neuroscience and physiology. Finally, faculty members in the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology at Rush have active research programs in a variety of areas including the functions of cell membranes and ion channels, and whose experience will benefit Dr. Miller's proposed research. Dr. Miller has the full support of the Division of Rheumatology and the Division guarantees that Dr. Miller will have more than 75% time protected for K01-related research and training throughout the term of this award, and, to pursue the objectives of this application, she will have minimal administrative, committee, and lecturing obligations. She will have access to all of the faculty expertise, mentorship, laboratory space and equipment, and career development resources necessary to help her to reach her goal of becoming an independent researcher. Research: This proposal focuses on improving the understanding of why weight-bearing activity causes pain in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a painful disease, characterized by progressive damage and remodeling of all joint tissues. Abnormal mechanical forces play an important role in driving the development of knee OA. During weight-bearing activities, including walking and climbing stairs, the damaged area is subjected to increased focal stresses, leading to more damage. The same weight-bearing activities are associated with pain in OA. Chronic stimulation of sensory nerves, such as in OA, may lead to sensitization and chronic pain. Therefore, treating early OA pain associated with mechanical input may be important for preventing chronic pain. Our hypothesis is that aberrant mechanical forces within the knee joint, known to promote joint damage, also promote pain. We propose that activity-associated pain may occur through direct mechanical stimulation of peripheral nerve termini or through secondary production of pro-algesic molecules by other joint tissues (including cartilage, which is aneural). This hypothesis will be addressed through the following aims:
Aim 1 : Evaluate responses of peripheral sensory nerve termini within joint tissues to mechanical stimuli after destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) in the mouse;
Aim 2 : Determine which mechanical stimuli can induce pro-algesic molecule production by chondrocytes;
Aim 3 : Identify classes of ion channels expressed by chondrocytes and evaluate mechanical function.

Public Health Relevance

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects 27 million people in the United States. The major symptoms of knee OA include pain and related functional impairment. This proposal focuses on improving the understanding of why weight-bearing activity causes pain in OA, which could ultimately be translated into improved therapeutics.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01AR070328-01
Application #
9164548
Study Section
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Special Grants Review Committee (AMS)
Program Officer
Lester, Gayle E
Project Start
2016-07-01
Project End
2021-06-30
Budget Start
2016-07-01
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$115,204
Indirect Cost
$8,534
Name
Rush University Medical Center
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068610245
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Miller, Rachel E; Ishihara, Shingo; Tran, Phuong B et al. (2018) An aggrecan fragment drives osteoarthritis pain through Toll-like receptor 2. JCI Insight 3:
Syx, Delfien; Tran, Phuong B; Miller, Rachel E et al. (2018) Peripheral Mechanisms Contributing to Osteoarthritis Pain. Curr Rheumatol Rep 20:9
Miller, Rachel E; Kim, Yu Shin; Tran, Phuong B et al. (2018) Visualization of Peripheral Neuron Sensitization in a Surgical Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis by In Vivo Calcium Imaging. Arthritis Rheumatol 70:88-97
Miller, Rachel E; Block, Joel A; Malfait, Anne-Marie (2018) What is new in pain modification in osteoarthritis? Rheumatology (Oxford) 57:iv99-iv107
Wang, Xuexiang; Dande, Ranadheer R; Yu, Hao et al. (2018) TRPC5 Does Not Cause or Aggravate Glomerular Disease. J Am Soc Nephrol 29:409-415
Sambamurthy, Nisha; Nguyen, Vu; Smalley, Ryan et al. (2018) Chemokine receptor-7 (CCR7) deficiency leads to delayed development of joint damage and functional deficits in a murine model of osteoarthritis. J Orthop Res 36:864-875
Miller, Rachel E; Malfait, Anne-Marie (2017) Osteoarthritis pain: What are we learning from animal models? Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 31:676-687
Miller, R E; Malfait, A-M (2017) Can we target CCR2 to treat osteoarthritis? The trick is in the timing! Osteoarthritis Cartilage 25:799-801
Miller, Rachel E; Block, Joel A; Malfait, Anne-Marie (2017) Nerve growth factor blockade for the management of osteoarthritis pain: what can we learn from clinical trials and preclinical models? Curr Opin Rheumatol 29:110-118
Miotla Zarebska, J; Chanalaris, A; Driscoll, C et al. (2017) CCL2 and CCR2 regulate pain-related behaviour and early gene expression in post-traumatic murine osteoarthritis but contribute little to chondropathy. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 25:406-412

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