Yr Athro Deborah Mason

Athro, Ysgol y Biowyddorau; Cyfarwyddwr Ymchwil Cyn-Glinigol

Ysgol y Biowyddorau

: Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig

I am Co Principal Investigator of the Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre in Cardiff University, where I lead the Preclinical Research Programme investigating the interaction between biomechanics and biology in joint tissues. I have established a platform of cell, animal and human models to investigate how mechanical load regulates joint pathology. My research elucidates new signalling mechanisms that regulate bone and cartilage turnover, to provide therapeutic and diagnostic targets for musculoskeletal diseases. This has led to the discovery of functional glutamatergic signalling in joint tissues, and revealed new pathways that mediate cytokine- and mechanically- induced cartilage degradation. My research focuses on translating glutamate receptor antagonists as a treatment for osteoarthritis, identifying mechanically-regulated biomarkers and developing a joint mimetic for drug screening.

I have led over 35 research projects (>£8M external funding, recently funded by Wellcome Trust, NC3Rs, Life Sciences Bridging Fund, MRC Confidence in Concept, Arthritis Research UK), invented patents and collaborate with academics, NHS clinicians and industry. I currently serve on Orthopaedic Research Society Programme Committee.

Roles

Module Leader BI3351 Contemporary Topics in Disease

Interested in joining my lab as a self-funded post-graduate student or a postdoc/fellow? Please contact me by email.

Date
Type

2024

Jones, R., Gilbert, S. J., Christofides, S. R. and Mason, D. J. 2024. Osteocytes contribute to sex-specific differences in osteoarthritic pain. Frontiers in Endocrinology 15, article number: 1480274. (10.3389/fendo.2024.1480274)
Kalsoum, R. et al. 2024. A mixed-methods approach exploring acceptability and feasibility of trials designed to test drugs targeting prevention of post-traumatic osteoarthritis after knee injury.. Bone & Joint Research 13(9), pp. 513-524. (10.1302/2046-3758.139.BJR-2024-0109)
Gilbert, S. J., Jones, R., Egan, B. J., Bonnet, C. S., Evans, S. L. and Mason, D. J. 2024. Investigating mechanical and inflammatory pathological mechanisms in osteoarthritis using MSC-derived osteocyte-like cells in 3D. Frontiers in Endocrinology 15, article number: 1359052. (10.3389/fendo.2024.1359052)
Whittaker, J. L. et al. 2024. Toward designing human intervention studies to prevent osteoarthritis after knee injury: A report from an interdisciplinary OARSI 2023 workshop. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open 6(2), article number: 100449. (10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100449)
Hamilton, R., Garcia, A. A., Bowd, J., Hamilton, D., Mason, D., Elliott, M. and Holt, C. 2024. Utilising electrodermal activity sensor signals to quantify nociceptive response during movement activities. BMC Research Notes 17, article number: 36. (10.1186/s13104-024-06689-9)

2023

Hamilton, R. et al. 2023. Measuring osteoarthritis knee nociception using physiological and movement response and a defined thermal stimulus: A proof-of-concept study.. Presented at: The International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies (ICORS), World Congress of Orthopaedic Research, Edinburgh, UK, 7-9 September 2022Orthopaedic Proceedings, Vol. 105-B,. pp. 20-20., (10.1302/1358-992X.2023.8.020)

2022

Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J. and Mason, D. J. 2022. Interferon-gamma modulates articular chondrocyte and osteoblast metabolism through protein kinase R-independent and dependent mechanisms. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports 32, article number: 101323. (10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101323)
Paskins, Z. et al. 2022. Research priorities to reduce the impact of musculoskeletal disorders: a priority setting exercise with the child health and nutrition research initiative method. The Lancet Rheumatology 4(9), pp. 635-645. (10.1016/S2665-9913(22)00136-9)

2021

Hamilton, R., Holt, C., Jones, R., Shillabeer, D., Sparkes, V. and Mason, D. 2021. Measuring nociception in knee osteoarthritis using physiological and movement responses: a proof-of-concept study. Presented at: British Orthopaedic Research Society, Cardiff, UK, 13-14 September 2021.
Mason, D., Englund, M. and Watt, F. E. 2021. Prevention of posttraumatic osteoarthritis at the time of injury: Where are we now, and where are we going?. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 39(6), pp. 1152-1163. (10.1002/jor.24982)

2020

Bonnet, C. S., Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Williams, A. S. and Mason, D. J. 2020. AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor antagonists prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis. JCI Insight 5(13), article number: e134055. (10.1172/jci.insight.134055)

2019

Khatib, N., Biggs, P., Wilson, C., Williams, R., Mason, D. and Holt, C. 2019. Dynamic medial knee overloading influences inflammation and bone remodeling in the degenerative knee [Abstract]. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 27(S1), pp. S44., article number: 29. (10.1016/j.joca.2019.02.063)
Simonovic, J., Holt, C. and Mason, D. 2019. Semantic insight and behaviour of the computational bone cell population models. Presented at: 25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB 2019), Vienna, Austria, 7-10 July 2019. pp. -.
Watt, F. E. et al. 2019. Towards prevention of post-traumatic osteoarthritis: report from an international expert working group on considerations for the design and conduct of interventional studies following acute knee injury. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 27(1), pp. 23-33. (10.1016/j.joca.2018.08.001)

2018

Gilbert, S. J., Bonnet, C. S., Stadnik, P., Duance, V. C., Mason, D. J. and Blain, E. J. 2018. Inflammatory and degenerative phases resulting from anterior cruciate rupture in a non-invasive murine model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 36(8), pp. 2118-2127. (10.1002/jor.23872)
Jähn, K., Mason, D., Ralphs, J., Evans, B., Archer, C., Richards, R. G. and Stoddart, M. 2018. Phenotype and viability of MLO-Y4 cells Is maintained by TGFβ3 in a serum-dependent manner within a 3D-co-culture with MG-63 cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 19(7), article number: 1932. (10.3390/ijms19071932)
Sanders, R., Bustin, S., Huggett, J. and Mason, D. 2018. Improving the standardization of mRNA measurement by RT-qPCR. Biomolecular Detection and Quantification 15, pp. 13-17. (10.1016/j.bdq.2018.03.001)
Khatib, N., Papageorgiou, A., Vazquez, M., Flintoft, F., Holt, C. and Mason, D. 2018. How does an AMPA/KA receptor antagonist affect the metabolic profile of a bone co-culture loading model? an NMR spectroscopy approach [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 98(1), pp. A21. (10.1111/iep.12218)

2016

Holt, C. A. et al. 2016. Biological changes in tibial subchondral bone following high tibial osteotomy. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 24(S1), pp. S511-S511. (10.1016/j.joca.2016.01.935)
Felson, D. T. et al. 2016. Recommendations for the conduct of efficacy trials of treatment devices for osteoarthritis: a report from a working group of the Arthritis Research UK Osteoarthritis and Crystal Diseases Clinical Studies Group. Rheumatology 55(2), pp. 320-326. (10.1093/rheumatology/kev328)

2015

Eastwood, S. E., John, A., Jones, S. A., Hodgson, H., Mason, D. J., Waddington, R. and Wei, X. 2015. Osteoclastogenesis-related cytokines and peri-prosthetic osteolysis in revision metal-on-metal total hip replacements. Hip International 25(4), pp. 355-360. (10.5301/hipint.5000241)

2014

Vazquez, M., Evans, B. A. J., Riccardi, D., Evans, S. L., Ralphs, J. R., Dillingham, C. M. and Mason, D. J. 2014. A new method to investigate how mechanical loading of osteocytes controls osteoblasts. Frontiers in Endocrinology 5, article number: 208. (10.3389/fendo.2014.00208)
Bonnet, C. S., Williams, A. S., Gilbert, S. J., Harvey, A. K., Evans, B. A. and Mason, D. J. 2014. AMPA/kainate glutamate receptors contribute to inflammation, degeneration and pain related behaviour in inflammatory stages of arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 74, pp. 242-251. (10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203670)
Gilbert, S. J. et al. 2014. Deletion of P58IPK, the cellular inhibitor of the protein kinases PKR and PERK, causes bone changes and joint degeneration in mice. Frontiers in Endocrinology 5, article number: 174. (10.3389/fendo.2014.00174)
Sanders, R., Mason, D. J., Foy, C. A. and Huggett, J. F. 2014. Considerations for accurate gene expression measurement by reverse transcription quantitative PCR when analysing clinical samples. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 406(26), pp. 6471-6483. (10.1007/s00216-014-7857-x)
Bonnet, C., Williams, A. S., Gilbert, S. J., Harvey, A., Evans, B. A. J. and Mason, D. J. 2014. NBQX, a glutamate receptor antagonist, alleviates inflammation, pathology and gait abnormalities in a rat model of inflammatory arthritis. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 95(3), pp. A5-A6. (10.1111/iep.12078)
Vazquez, M., Evans, B., Evans, S., Ralphs, J., Riccardi, D. and Mason, D. 2014. Development of a novel in vitro 3D osteoblast-osteocyte co-culture model to investigate mechanically-induced signalling. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 95(3), pp. A34-A35. (10.1111/iep.12078)
Scully, N. E. E., Evans, S. L., Mason, D. J. and Evans, B. A. J. 2014. Development of a novel 3D mineralising culture system to investigate the differentiation of osteoblasts to osteocytes. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 95(3), pp. A29-A29. (10.1111/iep.12078)
Gilbert, S. J., Meakin, L. B., Mason, D. J., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2014. The use of a non-invasive murine knee joint loading model to identify mechano-regulated genes in vivo. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 95(3), pp. A11-A12. (10.1111/iep.12078)
Holt, C. A., Whatling, G. M., Bonnet, C., Brakspear, K., Wilson, C., Williams, R. and Mason, D. J. 2014. Correlating biomechanics and biological signals in subjects undergoing high tibial osteotomy. Presented at: Othopaedic Research Society, New Orleans, LA, USA, 15-18th March 2014.

2013

Sanders, R., Mason, D. J., Foy, C. A. and Huggett, J. F. 2013. Evaluation of digital PCR for absolute RNA quantification. PLoS ONE 8(9), article number: e75296. (10.1371/journal.pone.0075296)

2012

Brakspear, K. S. and Mason, D. J. 2012. Glutamate signaling in bone. Frontiers in Endocrinology 3, article number: 97. (10.3389/fendo.2012.00097)
Bonnet, C., Williams, A. S., Harvey, A., Gilbert, S. J., Moideen, A. N., Nowell, M. A. and Mason, D. J. 2012. Intra-articular AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor antagonists alleviate inflammation, pain and pathology in rat antigen induced arthritis [Abstract]. Osteoporosis International 23, pp. S527-S527.
Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Al-Sabah, A., Zhang, Y., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2012. Protein kinase R plays a pivotal role in oncostatin M and interleukin-1 signalling in bovine articular cartilage chondrocytes. European Cells and Materials 23, pp. 41-57.
Whatling, G. M., Mason, D., Brakspear, K., Roberts, H., Watling, D., Metcalfe, A. and Holt, C. A. 2012. Biomechanical and biological changes following high tibial osteotomy. Presented at: 18th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics., Lisbon, Portugal, 1-4 July 2012.

2011

Vazquez, M., Evans, B. A. J., Ralphs, J. R., Riccardi, D. and Mason, D. J. 2011. Bone in vitro 3D osteoblast-osteocyte co-culture model. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 92(6), pp. A18-A18. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2011.00780.x)
Parsons, P. et al. 2011. Type IX collagen interacts with fibronectin providing an important molecular bridge in articular cartilage. Journal of Biological Chemistry 286(40), pp. 34986-34997. (10.1074/jbc.M111.238188)
Parsons, P. et al. 2011. Identification of a type IX collagen interaction with fibronectin: a molecular bridge in articular cartilage?. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 286(40), pp. 34986-34997. (10.1074/jbc.M111.238188)
Whatling, G. M. et al. 2011. High tibial osteotomy: linking biomechanical and biological changes. Presented at: British Orthopaedic Research Society, Cambridge, 27-29 June 2011.

2010

Gilbert, S. J., Patel, M., Toumi, H., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2010. Knockout of P58(IPK), a known inhibitor of PKR, in mice results in a degenerative phenotype in the knee joint. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 91(2), pp. A34-A34. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2009.00690.x)
Mason, D. J., Brakspear, K. S., Wilson, C., Williams, R. and Kotwal, R. S. 2010. Glutamatergic signalling in the osteoarthritic knee. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 91(2), pp. A34-A35. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2009.00690.x)
Mason, D. J., Brakspear, K., Wilson, C., Williams, R. and Kotwal, R. 2010. Glutamatergic signals in human arthritis: A link between mechanical, nociceptive and pathological processes. Bone 46, pp. S76. (10.1016/j.bone.2010.01.185)
Mason, D. J. et al. 2010. Can joint realignment surgery reveal mechanically regulated signals that influence pain and pathology in humans?. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the European Research Society (EORS), Davos, Switzerland, 30 June - 2 July 2010.

2009

Brakspear, K. S., Parsons, P. and Mason, D. J. 2009. Glutamate transporter inhibitors influence osteoblast gene expression and activity. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A107-A108. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2009. A pivotal role for protein kinase R in the oncostatin m and interleukin-1 induced catabolic phenotype in bovine articular cartilage chondrocytes. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A112-A112. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
Mason, D. J., Dillingham, C. M., Williams, S. E., Evans, B. A. J., Brakspear, K. S. and Ralphs, J. 2009. Interactions between osteocytes and osteoblasts in a novel 3D co-culture system [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A104. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
Brakspear, K. S., Parsons, P. and Mason, D. J. 2009. Glutamate transporter inhibitors influence osteoblast gene expression and activity [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A107-A108. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2009.00644.x)
Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2009. A pivotal role for protein kinase R in the oncastatin m and interleukin-1 induced catabolic phenotype in bovine articular cartilage chondrocytes. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A112-A112.

2008

Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2008. Sphingomyelinase decreases type II collagen expression in bovine articular chondrocytes via the ERK signalling pathway. Arthritis and Rheumatism 58(1), pp. 209-220. (10.1002/art.23172)
Mason, D., Dillingham, C. M., Evans, B. A., Brakspear, K. S. and Ralphs, J. R. 2008. A 3D culture system to investigate osteocyte control of osteoblasts. Bone 42(Suppl), pp. S26-S27. (10.1016/j.bone.2007.12.033)

2006

Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Jones, P., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2006. Exogenous sphingomyelinase increases collagen and sulphated glycosaminoglycan production by primary articular chondrocytes: an in vitro study. Arthritis research & therapy 8(4), article number: R89. (10.1186/ar1961)
Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2006. Protein kinase R: A novel mediator of articular cartilage degradation in arthritis. Current Rheumatology Reviews 2(1), pp. 9-21. (10.2174/157339706775697026)

2004

Mason, D. J. 2004. Glutamate signalling and its potential application to tissue engineering of bone. European Cells and Materials 7, pp. 12-26.
Mason, D. J. 2004. The role of glutamate transporters in bone cell signalling. Journal of Musculoskeletal Neuronal Interactions 4(2), pp. 128-131.

2003

Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2003. Does protein kinase R mediate TNF-α- and ceramide-induced increases in expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases in articular cartilage by a novel mechanism?. Arthritis Research & Therapy 6(1), pp. R46-R55. (10.1186/ar1024)
Blain, E. J., Mason, D. J. and Duance, V. C. 2003. The effect of cyclical compressive loading on gene expression in articular cartilage. Biorheology 40(1-3), pp. 111-117.
Mason, D. J. and Huggett, J. F. 2003. Elucidation of mechanically-regulated signalling pathways in bone and their application to bone tissue engineering. European Cells and Materials 5(Supp 2), pp. 26-27.

2002

Huggett, J. F., Mustafa, A., O'Neal, L. and Mason, D. J. 2002. The glutamate transporter GLAST-1 (EAAT-1) is expressed in the plasma membrane of osteocytes and is responsive to extracellular glutamate concentration.. Biochemical Society Transactions 30(6), pp. 890-893. (10.1042/BST0300890)
Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2002. Tumour necrosis factor α up-regulates protein kinase R (PKR)-activating protein (PACT) and increases phosphorylation of PKR and eukaryotic initiation factor 2-α in articular chondrocytes. Biochemical Society Transactions 30(6), pp. 886-889. (10.1042/BST0300886)
Blain, E. J., Mason, D. J. and Duance, V. C. 2002. The effect of thymosin β4 on articular cartilage chondrocyte matrix metalloproteinase expression. Biochemical Society Transactions 30(6), pp. 879-882. (10.1042/BST0300879)
Mason, D. 2002. Glutamate transporters in bone. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions 2(5), pp. 406-414.
Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2002. Tumour necrosis factor α up-regulates protein kinase R (PKR)-activating protein (PACT) and increases phosphorylation of PKR and eukaryotic initiation factor 2-α in articular chondrocyte. Biochemical Society Transactions 30, pp. 886-889. (10.1042/bst0300886)

2001

Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J., Wardale, R. J., Capper, S. J., Mason, D. J. and Duance, V. C. 2001. Up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression and activation following cyclical compressive loading of articular cartilage in vitro. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics 396(1), pp. 49-55. (10.1006/abbi.2001.2575)
Skerry, T., Genever, P., Taylor, A., Dobson, K., Mason, D. J. and Suva, L. 2001. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence: The shortcomings of the GLAST knockout mouse [2] [Abstract]. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 16(9), pp. 1729-1730. (10.1359/jbmr.2001.16.9.1729)
Skerry, T., Genever, P., Taylor, A., Dobson, K., Mason, D. J. and Suva, L. 2001. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence; The shortcomings of the GLAST knockout mouse [Letter]. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 16(9), pp. 1729-1730. (10.1359/jbmr.2001.16.9.1729)

My research elucidates new signalling mechanisms that regulate bone and cartilage turnover, to provide therapeutic and diagnostic targets for osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This has led to the discovery of functional glutamatergic signalling in bone and synovium, and revealed new pathways that mediate cytokine- and mechanically- induced cartilage degradation. As a Team Leader in the Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre, I direct research investigating the links between pain, inflammation and pathology in human arthritis. We have developed a range of protocols and cell, explant, animal and human models to investigate how altered joint biomechanics influences biological signals.

Current research

Modulation of glutamatergic signalling to enhance bone formation and inhibit pathological changes in arthritis.
Delineating the role of Protein Kinase R in arthritis.
Linking biological signals to joint loading and pathology in human arthritis.
Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to identify complex patterns of biomarkers to stratify patients with arthritis or joint pathology.
Developing a novel, mechanically-loaded 3D co-culture system to investigate osteocyte control of osteoblasts

Glutamate Signalling

My work implicating the glutamate transporter GLAST-1 in mechanotransduction, and identifying glutamate as a potential anabolic target in bone is leading to new strategies for increasing bone formation. Our discovery that glutamate signalling mediates pathological responses in inflammatory arthritis, and that specific glutamate receptors are expressed in human inflammatory and osteoarthritis, reveals a therapeutic opportunity whereby joint destruction and pain could be prevented using specific glutamate receptor antagonists. http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130814/Osteoarthritis-research-an-interview-with-Dr-Deborah-Mason-Cardiff-University.aspx

Cleo S Bonnet ¹, Anwen S Williams ², Sophie J Gilbert ¹, Ann K Harvey ³, Bronwen A Evans ⁴, and Deborah J Mason AMPA/kainate glutamate receptors contribute to inflammation, degeneration and pain related behaviour in inflammatory stages of arthritis. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases - under review.
Brakspear KS and Mason DJ (2012) Glutamate signaling in bone. Front. Endocrin. 3:97.
Flood S, Parri R, Williams A, Duance V and Mason DJ (2007) Modulation of interleukin-6 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes by functional ionotropic glutamate receptors. Arthritis and Rheumatism 56(8): 2523-2534.
Mason DJ (2004) The role of glutamate transporters in bone cell signalling. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions 4:128-131.
Mason DJ (2004) Glutamate Signalling and its Potential Application to Tissue Engineering of bone. European Cells and Materials 7:12-26.
Mason DJ and Huggett JF (2002) Glutamate Transporters in Bone Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions 2 (5): 406-414
Huggett JF, Mustafa A, O'Neal L and Mason DJ (2002) The glutamate transporter GLAST-1 (EAAT-1) is expressed in the plasma membrane of osteocytes and is responsive to extracellular glutamate concentration. Biochem Soc Trans 30:890-893.
Skerry T, Genever P, Taylor A, Dobson K, Mason D , Suva L. (2001) Letters to the Editor: Absence of Evidence is not evidence of absence. The shortcomings of the GLAST knockout mouse. JBMR 16 (9):1729-1730.
Huggett J, Vaughan-Thomas A, Mason DJ (2000) The open reading frame of the Na(+)-dependent glutamate transporter GLAST-1 is expressed in bone and a splice variant of this molecule is expressed in bone and brain. FEBS Lett 485(1):13-18.
Mason DJ, Suva LJ, Genever PG, Patton AJ, Steuckle S, Hillam RA, and Skerry TM (1997). Mechanically-regulated expression of a neural glutamate transporter in bone. A role for excitatory amino acids as osteotropic agents? Bone 20 (3):199-20.

PKR and ceramide in arthritis

Protein Kinase R (PKR) mediates stress and viral responses. We reported that PKR is activated in osteoarthritis and demonstrated that PKR mediates cytokine -induced degradation of cartilage. We have also shown that ceramide, a cytokine induced second messenger, influences cartilage matrix homeostasis via ERK signalling. P58IPK inhibits PKR and PERK and knockouts of this, where PKR and PERK are overactivated, have joint degeneration that resembles osteoarthritis. These new mechanisms of cytokine mediated cartilage degradation, relevant to both osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, may be targeted in treatment or diagnosis of arthritis.

Gilbert SJ, Meakin LB, Nowell MA, Bonnet CS^, Ladiges WC, Morton J, Duance VC and Mason DJ. Deletion of P58IPK, the cellular inhibitor of the protein kinases PKR and PERK, causes bone changes and joint degeneration in mice. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage – under review.
Gilbert SJ, Blain EJ, Vaughan-Thomas A, Duance VC and Mason DJ (2012) Protein kinase R plays a pivotal role in the oncostatin M and interleukin-1 signalling in bovine articular cartilage chondrocytes^. European Cells and Materials, 23:41-57.
Gilbert SJ, Blain EJ, Duance VC and Mason DJ (2008) Sphingomyelinase decreases type II collagen expression in bovine articular chondrocytes via the ERK signalling pathway. Arthritis and Rheumatism 58:209-220.
Gilbert SJ, Blain EJ, Jones P, Duance VC, Mason DJ (2006) Exogenous sphingomyelinase increases collagen and sulphated glycosaminoglycan production by primary articular chondrocytes: an in vitro study. Arthritis Research and Therapy 8(4):R89
Gilbert SJ, Duance VC and Mason DJ (2006) Protein Kinase R: A novel mediator of articular cartilage degradation in arthritis. Current Rheumatology Reviews 2(1):9-21.
Gilbert SJ, Duance VC, Mason DJ (2004) Does PKR mediate TNF alpha and ceramide induced increases in expression and activation of MMPs in articular cartilage by a novel mechanism? Arthritis Res Ther 6:46-55.
Gilbert SJ, Duance VC and Mason DJ (2002) Tumour necrosis factor a up-regulates protein kinase R (PKR)-activating protein (PACT) and increases phosphorylation of PKR and eukaryotic initiation factor 2-a in articular chondrocytes. Biochem Soc Trans 30:886-9.

Biomechanics

Mechanical loading is a potent stimulus regulating both formation and degradation of bone and cartilage. Our studies on the effects of mechanical loading in bone and cartilage have implicated glutamatergic signalling, degradative enzymes, and the cytoskeleton in mechanotransduction. Recently, award of the Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre has allowed us to investigate the molecular signals underlying joint loading, pain and inflammation in humans with osteoarthritis or joint injury.

JB Catterall, S Dewitt, DJ Mason, Wilson C, K Fagerlund, JM Halleen, B Caterson. CTx-II is a marker of cartilage destruction and reflects cartilage metabolism. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage - under review
D J Mason, ¹K Brakspear, ²C Wilson, ²R Williams, ²R S Kotwal (2010). Glutamate, a signal that links mechanical loading, pain and pathology in human arthritis. Invited paper, Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Porto. ISBN: 978-9562121-0-8.

Research Funding 2008-2012 (from £12M total grant funding)

Wilde (Avanticell Science Ltd), Evans BA and Mason DJ (Cardiff University) (2013-2014) A Cell-Based Analysis Platform to Screen Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods against Osteoporosis TSB £99,889

Mason DJ, Bonnet CS, Williams AS and Walsh D (2013-2016) Investigating the mechanism of the protective role of glutamate receptor antagonists in osteoarthritis. Arthritis Research UK £200,000

John A and Mason DJ (Mentor) (2012-2015)AHSC Clinical Research Time Competition. Investigate biological mechanisms and biomarkers underlying early events in adverse reactions to MoM hip implants, NISCHR £70,762

John A and Mason DJ (2012-2015) MD Investigate biological mechanisms and biomarkers underlying early events in adverse reactions to MoM hip implants, Self-funded £8,000

Nowell M, Mason DJ, Aeschlimann D, Evans B, Choy E. (2012) 384-capacity Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) facility. Arthritis Research UK, £ 131,115

Mason DJ andHuggett JF. (2010-2014) PhD sudentship: Development and evaluation of new standardisation methods for RNA measurement in connective tissue diseases. LGC , £84,000

Evans B, Mason DJ, Sloan A, Ralphs, Gregory. Hadwen Trust (2010- 2012) Development of new methodologies for the 3-D in vitro study of bone disease £83,000

Duance, Mason, Holt, Evans, Riccardi, Denyer, Jones, Williams, Evans, Aeschlimann, Van Deursen and Wise. Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre. Arthritis Research UK 2009-2014, £2.5M, matched with £7.5M from Cardiff University.

Mason DJ, Evans BAE, Riccardi, (2009-2013) PhD sudentship: Investigating the roles of adenosine, glutamate and calcium signalling in mechanically-induced bone formation. Cardiff University, £84,000

Evans BAE and Mason DJ (2010-2014) PhD sudentship: Investigating the response to load of human osteocytes from different anatomical sites in health and disease, Cardiff University, £84,000

Mason DJ, Roberts H, Paisey S, Wilson C, Fairhurst S, Bagley M, Jones G. Using NMR for synovial fluid biomarkers. Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedics Centre,Dept Orthopaedics and School of Physics, Cardiff University (2009 – 2013) £20,000

Mason DJ and Parsons P, Modulating glutamate transporters for fracture repair. BBSRC CASE with Smith and Nephew as industrial partner, 2007-2010, £77,000.

Collaborators

External

Prof David Walsh (Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre, Nottingham).
Dr Lee Meakin (Bristol University)
Prof Ladiges and Dr John Morton (Dept Comparative Medicine, University of Washington)
Dr Jim Huggett (Nucleic Acid Metrology Molecular & Cell Biology LGC, Middlesex)
Prof Mark Bagley (University of Sussex)
Prof Chris Wilson (Consultant Orthopaedic Knee surgeon in Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust)
Mr Alun John (Consultant Orthopaedic hip surgeon in Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust)

Cardiff University

School of Engineering: Dr Cathy Holt, Prof Sam Evans, Dr Gemma Whatling
School of Medicine: Dr Bronwen Evans, Dr Anwen Williams, Dr Ann Harvey
School of Physics: Dr Stephen Fairhurst
School of Healthcare Studies: Dr Val Sparkes, Dr Nicky Phillips
School of Dentistry: Dr Alistair Sloan, Dr Sharon Dewitt
School of Biosciences: Prof Victor Duance, Dr Sophie Gilbert, Professor Daniela Riccardi and Dr Jim Ralphs

Current research group members

Post Doctoral research associates

PhD students

Ahmed Almansour

I am an enthusiastic and effective lecturer contributing to a range of teaching activities (tutorials, lectures, workshops, practical, projects) across various levels and Degree Schemes (BSc: Biomolecular, Biomedical, Medical, Dental; MSc). I adapt my methods according to student feedback, peer assessment and student achievement. As Level 1 Co-ordinator for Biochemistry Degree Schemes, Molecular Biology Degree Scheme Co-ordinator and Final Year Tutor for all Biomolecular Schemes I have made major contributions to management, teaching, course design and administration.

I currently Lead the final year Contemporary Topics in Disease Module, where cutting edge research in the School of Biosciences demonstrates how research can reveal pathological mechanisms and identify and test new treatments across a wide range of diseases.

After my BSc in Zoology and Genetics (1986) and my PhD in Evolutionary Genetics (1991) in Cardiff, I worked briefly in Medical Genetics at the University Hospital of Wales before moving to Bristol University. My research in Bristol revealed osteocyte gene expression in vivo and implicated glutamatergic signalling in mechanically-induced bone formation. Since my appointment as Lecturer in Cardiff University in 1996 (Senior Lecturer in 2009, Reader in 2012), I have investigated the role of glutamate transporters in bone, revealed a pathological role for glutamate in arthritis, and identified new pathways of cytokine- and mechanically- induced cartilage degradation involving PKR, ceramide and the cytoskeleton. I have secured over £12M of research funding for 30 projects. I co-ordinated Cardiff’s bid for the Arthritis Research UK-funded Centre of Excellence in Biomechanics and Bioengineering, where I act as a manager, and as the Biomechanics, Inflammation and Pain Team Leader. I have served on the Bone Research Society and the British Orthopaedic Research Committees. I have supervised 11 PhD/MD students and teach undergraduate students, co-ordinating the Molecular Biology Degree Scheme in Cardiff and acting as final year tutor for all Biomolecular Degree Schemes. I regularly contribute to public engagement activities with school children, patients and fundraisers.

I am interested in supervising students in the areas of:

developing new preventative treatments for osteoarthritis
early diagnosis of osteoarthritis
cell models for drug screening

Contact Details

MasonDJ@caerdydd.ac.uk
+44 29208 74561
Adeilad Syr Martin Evans, Ystafell Cardiff School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Rhodfa'r Amgueddfa, Caerdydd, CF10 3AX

Ymchwilwyr yn derbyn £680mil i greu model 3D o nerf synhwyro’r esgyrn

External profiles

ORCID

Yr Athro Deborah Mason

Trosolwyg