CircBioCare aims at developing early knee OA diagnostic assays by investigating novel miRNA and protein signatures from serum and associate specific molecular panels with different phenotypes for patient stratification that allows personalized treatment. Local and systemic markers will be correlated and insight into the role of IPFP in the secretion of these biomarkers will be studied. In addition, we aim at identifying societal willingness for implementation of the mentioned technology.
The main goals are:
To develop a molecular tool kit to predict early OA and for OA subtyping
To study local molecular changes in IPFP tissues associated with serum biomarkers
To determine patients' and stakeholders' boundary conditions for implementation of OA diagnostic tools
WP1 focuses on developing platforms to detect molecular changes in serum for early osteoarthritis (OA) biomarker discovery and personalized medicine. Two approaches will be used: miRNA profiling with dPCR and protein analysis using PASEF technology. Serum samples from healthy individuals and OA patients with various phenotypes (post-traumatic, metabolic, inflammatory) will be analyzed using four cohorts. Outputs include a miRNA-based platform and a standardized OA biomarker evaluation tool.
AI will be used to link clinical data with multimolecular panels detected and this information will be used to design two clinical assays based on miRNA panels by dPCR and a protein-based assay, using PEA technology.
WP3 will focus on the correlation between the systematic markers found in serum and the secretion of these markers by the joint. In particular, we will investigate whether the early OA molecular markers are secreted by IPFP, since it is a well vascularized tissue, sensitive to cartilage damage. Novel organ-on-a-chip in vitro models will be developed and secreted markers will be analyzed and compared with the systemic serum markers.
WP4 promotes adoption of AI-based OA screening tools in at-risk populations and healthcare settings. Goals include improving OA awareness for faster treatment adoption and driving participation in screening programs to delay surgeries.