Professor Vic Duance
Teams and roles for Vic Duance
Emeritus Professor
School of Biosciences
Overview
Research overview
Arthritis Research UK in 2009 selected Cardiff University to become its prestigious UK Centre of Excellence in Biomechanics and Bioengineering. The Centre is driving interdisciplinary studies across a team of internationally recognised researchers and clinicians to improve patient care. The team applies a 'molecule to man' approach to investigate normal joint biomechanics and determine how this is influenced by pathology to inform clinical intervention and rehabilitation in musculoskeletal disorders.
There are three main themes to the work of my research group (i) the structure and function of the minor collagens of cartilage, in particular types III, IX, X and XI, how they change with age and in disease, as well as their importance in cartilage repair (ii) elucidation of the cell signalling pathways associated with mechanical and cytokine mediated cartilage degeneration and (iii) strategies for enhancing cartilage repair.
Publication
2021
- Stadnik, P. S. et al. 2021. Regulation of microRNA‐221, ‐222, ‐21 and ‐27 in articular cartilage subjected to abnormal compressive forces. Journal of Physiology 599(1), pp. 143-155., article number: V. (10.1113/JP279810)
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)
- Blain, E. and Duance, V. 2018. Meniscus. In: Hutson, M. and Speed, C. eds. Sports Injuries. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press, pp. 45-53.
2016
- Al-Sabah, A., Stadnik, P., Gilbert, S., Duance, V. and Blain, E. 2016. Importance of reference gene selection for articular cartilage mechanobiology studies. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 24(4), pp. 719-730. (10.1016/j.joca.2015.11.007)
2015
- Fu, Q. et al. 2015. Radiographic features of hand osteoarthritis in adult Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD): the Yongshou KBD study. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 23(6), pp. 868-873. (10.1016/j.joca.2015.01.009)
- Chen, J. et al. 2015. Altered proteolytic activity and expression of mmps and aggrecanases and their inhibitors in Kashin-Beck disease. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 33(1), pp. 47-55. (10.1002/jor.22708)
2014
- 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)
- Li, S., Blain, E. J., Cao, J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2014. Effects of the mycotoxin nivalenol on bovine articular chondrocyte metabolism in vitro. PLoS ONE 9(10), article number: e109536. (10.1371/journal.pone.0109536)
- 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)
2012
- Blain, E. J., Thomas, R. S. and Duance, V. C. 2012. Effect of Wnt3A on load-induced markers of chondrocyte matrix metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 93(4), pp. A13-A14. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2012.00822.x)
- 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.
2011
- 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)
- Li, S., Jia, X., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2011. The effects of cyclic tensile strain on the organisation and expression of cytoskeletal elements in bovine intervertebral disc cells: an in vitro study. European Cells and Materials 21, pp. 508-522.
- Khan, I. M. et al. 2011. Interleukin-1β enhances cartilage-to-cartilage integration. European Cells and Materials 22, pp. 190-201.
- Thomas, R. S., Clarke, A. R., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2011. Effects of Wnt3A and mechanical load on cartilage chondrocyte homeostasis. Arthritis Research and Therapy 13(6), article number: R203. (10.1186/ar3536)
- 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)
- Blain, E. J. and Duance, V. C. 2011. Tissue injury and repair : meniscus. In: Hutson, M. and Speed, C. eds. Sports Injuries. Oxford: Oxford, pp. 45-53.
2010
- Blain, E. J., Ali, A. Y. and Duance, V. C. 2010. Boswellia frereana (frankincense) suppresses cytokine-induced matrix metalloproteinase expression and production of pro-inflammatory molecules in articular cartilage. Phytotherapy Research 24(6), pp. 905-912. (10.1002/ptr.3055)
- 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)
2009
- Singhrao, S., Müller, C. T., Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2009. An immunofluorescence method for postembedded tissue in the acrylic resin Technovit 9100 New(R) using fluorescein isothiocyanate secondary detection. Microscopy Research and Technique 72(7), pp. 501-506. (10.1002/jemt.20705)
- 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)
- Singhrao, S. K., Müller, C. T., Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2009. An immunofluorescence method for post-embedded tissue in acrylic resin Technovit 9100 New(R) using fluorescein isothiocyanate secondary detection marker [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A129.
- Harrison, R. J., Blain, E. J., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2009. Involvement of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of articular chondrocyte phenotype in 3D-culture [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A112-A113. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Li, S., Jia, X., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2009. The effects of cyclic tensile strain on cytoskeleton in intervertebral disc cell: a preliminary study in vitro [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A120. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Harrison, R. J., Blain, E. J., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2009. Comparison of gene expression of human chondrocytes in monolayer and 3D-culture [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A66. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
- Gilbert, S. J. et al. 2009. Enhanced Tissue Integration During Cartilage Repair In Vitro Can Be Achieved by Inhibiting Chondrocyte Death at the Wound Edge. Tissue Engineering :Part A 15(7), pp. 1739-1749. (10.1089/ten.tea.2008.0361)
- 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.
- Singhrao, S. ., Khan, I. M., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2009. Biological responses of chondrocytes to poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polycaprolactone, (PET/PCL) co-polymer flat scaffolds as a potential biomaterial for matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A68-A69. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
2008
- Gilbert, S. J., Singhrao, S. K., Khan, I., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. 2008. Inhibition of chondrocyte death at the wound edge enhances integrative cartilage repair. European Cells and Materials 16, pp. 26-39.
- Davies, L. C., Blain, E. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2008. Chondroitin sulphate impedes the migration of a sub-population of articular cartilage chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 16(8), pp. 855-864. (10.1016/j.joca.2007.12.005)
- 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)
- Gilbert, S. J., Singhrao, S. K., Khan, I. M., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2008. Inhibiting chondrocyte death at the wound edge results in successful integrative cartilage repair in vitro. European Cells and Materials 16(Supp 3), pp. 55-55.
- Davies, L. C., Blain, E., Gilbert, S. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. 2008. The potential of IGF-1 and TGFβ1 for promoting “adult” articular cartilage repair: An in vitro study. Tissue Engineering Part A 14(7), pp. 1251-1261. (10.1089/ten.tea.2007.0211)
- Khan, I. M., Gilbert, S. J., Singhrao, S., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2008. Cartilage integration: evaluation of the reasons for failure of integration during cartilage repair. (A review). European Cells & Materials 16, pp. 26-39.
- Li, S., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2008. Zonal variations in cytoskeletal element organization, mRNA and protein expression in the intervertebral disc. Journal of Anatomy 213(6), pp. 725-732. (10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00998.x)
- Vaughan-Thomas, A., Dudhia, J., Bayliss, M. T., Kadler, K. E. and Duance, V. C. 2008. Modification of the composition of articular cartilage collagen fibrils with increasing age. Connective Tissue Research 49(5), pp. 374-82. (10.1080/03008200802325417)
2007
- Blain, E. J., Li, S. and Duance, V. C. 2007. F-actin cytoskeletal organization in intervertebral disc health and disease. Biochemical Society Transactions 35(4), pp. 683-685. (10.1042/BST0350683)
- Fang, S. C., Coathup, M. J., Blunn, G. W., Caterson, B., Duance, V. C. and Freeman, M. A. 2007. Fracture healing and its potential as a bioreactor for skeletal tissue engineering. European Cells and Materials 13(Supp 2), pp. 28-29.
2006
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J., Hayes, A. J. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Disassembly of the vimentin cytoskeleton disrupts articular cartilage chondrocyte homeostasis.. Matrix biology 25(7), pp. 398-408. (10.1016/j.matbio.2006.06.002)
- 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)
- Blain, E. J. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Maintenance of chondrocyte phenotype by the vimentin intermediate filaments [Abstract]. European Cells and Materials 12(S. 1), pp. 53.
- Davies, L., Blain, E. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Comparing the responsiveness of chondrocytes isolated from young and mature articular cartilage to IGF-1 and TGFβ1. European Cells and Materials 12(Supp 1), pp. 54-54.
2005
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J. and Duance, V. C. 2005. An intact cytoskeleton is essential to maintain articular cartilage chondrocyte metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 86(3), pp. A10-A11. (10.1111/j.0959-9673.2005.00426.x)
2004
- Davies, L. C., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2004. Novel strategies for enhancing tissue integration in cartilage repair. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 85(1), pp. A21-A22. (10.1111/j.0959-9673.2004.369aa.x)
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.
2002
- 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)
- Young, R. D., Vaughan-Thomas, A., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2002. Type II collagen deposition in cruciate ligament precedes osteoarthritis in the guinea pig knee. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 10(5), pp. 420-8. (10.1053/joca.2002.0530)
- 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)
- Vaughan-Thomas, A., Young, R. D., Phillips, A. C. and Duance, V. C. 2001. Characterization of type XI collagen-glycosaminoglycan interactions. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 276(7), pp. 5303-5309. (10.1074/jbc.M008764200)
2000
- Albon, J., Karwatowski, W. S., Easty, D. L., Sims, T. J. and Duance, V. C. 2000. Age related changes in the non-collagenous components of the extracellular matrix of the human lamina cribrosa. British Journal of Ophthalmology 84(3), pp. 311-317. (10.1136/bjo.84.3.311)
- Young, R. D., Lawrence, P. A., Duance, V. C., Aigner, T. and Monaghan, P. 2000. Immunolocalization of collagen Types II and III in single fibrils of human articular cartilage. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 48(3), pp. 423-432. (10.1177/002215540004800312)
- Vaughan-Thomas, A., Gilbert, S. J. and Duance, V. 2000. Elevated levels of proteolytic enzymes in the aging human vitreous. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 41(11), pp. 3299-32304.
- Gilbert, S. J., Wotton, P. R., Bailey, A. J., Sims, T. J. and Duance, V. C. 2000. Alterations in the organisation, ultrastructure and biochemistry of the myocardial collagen matrix in Doberman pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy. Research in Veterinary Science 69(3), pp. 267-274. (10.1053/rvsc.2000.0423)
1997
- Gilbert, S. J., Wotton, P. R., Tarlton, J. F., Duance, V. C. and Bailey, A. J. 1997. Increased expression of promatrix metalloproteinase-9 and neutrophil elastase in canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular Research 34(2), pp. 377-383. (10.1016/S0008-6363(97)00011-4)
1994
- Albon, J., Purslow, P. P., Duance, V. C., Easty, D. L. and Karwatowski, W. 1994. Mechanical compliance of the aging human lamina-cribrosa [Abstract]. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 35(4), pp. 1645-1645.
Articles
- Stadnik, P. S. et al. 2021. Regulation of microRNA‐221, ‐222, ‐21 and ‐27 in articular cartilage subjected to abnormal compressive forces. Journal of Physiology 599(1), pp. 143-155., article number: V. (10.1113/JP279810)
- 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)
- Al-Sabah, A., Stadnik, P., Gilbert, S., Duance, V. and Blain, E. 2016. Importance of reference gene selection for articular cartilage mechanobiology studies. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 24(4), pp. 719-730. (10.1016/j.joca.2015.11.007)
- Fu, Q. et al. 2015. Radiographic features of hand osteoarthritis in adult Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD): the Yongshou KBD study. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 23(6), pp. 868-873. (10.1016/j.joca.2015.01.009)
- Chen, J. et al. 2015. Altered proteolytic activity and expression of mmps and aggrecanases and their inhibitors in Kashin-Beck disease. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 33(1), pp. 47-55. (10.1002/jor.22708)
- 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)
- Li, S., Blain, E. J., Cao, J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2014. Effects of the mycotoxin nivalenol on bovine articular chondrocyte metabolism in vitro. PLoS ONE 9(10), article number: e109536. (10.1371/journal.pone.0109536)
- 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)
- Blain, E. J., Thomas, R. S. and Duance, V. C. 2012. Effect of Wnt3A on load-induced markers of chondrocyte matrix metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 93(4), pp. A13-A14. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2012.00822.x)
- 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.
- 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)
- Li, S., Jia, X., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2011. The effects of cyclic tensile strain on the organisation and expression of cytoskeletal elements in bovine intervertebral disc cells: an in vitro study. European Cells and Materials 21, pp. 508-522.
- Khan, I. M. et al. 2011. Interleukin-1β enhances cartilage-to-cartilage integration. European Cells and Materials 22, pp. 190-201.
- Thomas, R. S., Clarke, A. R., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2011. Effects of Wnt3A and mechanical load on cartilage chondrocyte homeostasis. Arthritis Research and Therapy 13(6), article number: R203. (10.1186/ar3536)
- 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)
- Blain, E. J., Ali, A. Y. and Duance, V. C. 2010. Boswellia frereana (frankincense) suppresses cytokine-induced matrix metalloproteinase expression and production of pro-inflammatory molecules in articular cartilage. Phytotherapy Research 24(6), pp. 905-912. (10.1002/ptr.3055)
- 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)
- Singhrao, S., Müller, C. T., Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2009. An immunofluorescence method for postembedded tissue in the acrylic resin Technovit 9100 New(R) using fluorescein isothiocyanate secondary detection. Microscopy Research and Technique 72(7), pp. 501-506. (10.1002/jemt.20705)
- 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)
- Singhrao, S. K., Müller, C. T., Gilbert, S. J., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2009. An immunofluorescence method for post-embedded tissue in acrylic resin Technovit 9100 New(R) using fluorescein isothiocyanate secondary detection marker [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A129.
- Harrison, R. J., Blain, E. J., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2009. Involvement of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of articular chondrocyte phenotype in 3D-culture [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A112-A113. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Li, S., Jia, X., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2009. The effects of cyclic tensile strain on cytoskeleton in intervertebral disc cell: a preliminary study in vitro [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A120. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Harrison, R. J., Blain, E. J., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2009. Comparison of gene expression of human chondrocytes in monolayer and 3D-culture [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A66. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
- Gilbert, S. J. et al. 2009. Enhanced Tissue Integration During Cartilage Repair In Vitro Can Be Achieved by Inhibiting Chondrocyte Death at the Wound Edge. Tissue Engineering :Part A 15(7), pp. 1739-1749. (10.1089/ten.tea.2008.0361)
- 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.
- Singhrao, S. ., Khan, I. M., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2009. Biological responses of chondrocytes to poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polycaprolactone, (PET/PCL) co-polymer flat scaffolds as a potential biomaterial for matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A68-A69. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
- Gilbert, S. J., Singhrao, S. K., Khan, I., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. 2008. Inhibition of chondrocyte death at the wound edge enhances integrative cartilage repair. European Cells and Materials 16, pp. 26-39.
- Davies, L. C., Blain, E. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2008. Chondroitin sulphate impedes the migration of a sub-population of articular cartilage chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 16(8), pp. 855-864. (10.1016/j.joca.2007.12.005)
- 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)
- Gilbert, S. J., Singhrao, S. K., Khan, I. M., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2008. Inhibiting chondrocyte death at the wound edge results in successful integrative cartilage repair in vitro. European Cells and Materials 16(Supp 3), pp. 55-55.
- Davies, L. C., Blain, E., Gilbert, S. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. 2008. The potential of IGF-1 and TGFβ1 for promoting “adult” articular cartilage repair: An in vitro study. Tissue Engineering Part A 14(7), pp. 1251-1261. (10.1089/ten.tea.2007.0211)
- Khan, I. M., Gilbert, S. J., Singhrao, S., Duance, V. C. and Archer, C. W. 2008. Cartilage integration: evaluation of the reasons for failure of integration during cartilage repair. (A review). European Cells & Materials 16, pp. 26-39.
- Li, S., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2008. Zonal variations in cytoskeletal element organization, mRNA and protein expression in the intervertebral disc. Journal of Anatomy 213(6), pp. 725-732. (10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00998.x)
- Vaughan-Thomas, A., Dudhia, J., Bayliss, M. T., Kadler, K. E. and Duance, V. C. 2008. Modification of the composition of articular cartilage collagen fibrils with increasing age. Connective Tissue Research 49(5), pp. 374-82. (10.1080/03008200802325417)
- Blain, E. J., Li, S. and Duance, V. C. 2007. F-actin cytoskeletal organization in intervertebral disc health and disease. Biochemical Society Transactions 35(4), pp. 683-685. (10.1042/BST0350683)
- Fang, S. C., Coathup, M. J., Blunn, G. W., Caterson, B., Duance, V. C. and Freeman, M. A. 2007. Fracture healing and its potential as a bioreactor for skeletal tissue engineering. European Cells and Materials 13(Supp 2), pp. 28-29.
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J., Hayes, A. J. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Disassembly of the vimentin cytoskeleton disrupts articular cartilage chondrocyte homeostasis.. Matrix biology 25(7), pp. 398-408. (10.1016/j.matbio.2006.06.002)
- 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)
- Blain, E. J. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Maintenance of chondrocyte phenotype by the vimentin intermediate filaments [Abstract]. European Cells and Materials 12(S. 1), pp. 53.
- Davies, L., Blain, E. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Comparing the responsiveness of chondrocytes isolated from young and mature articular cartilage to IGF-1 and TGFβ1. European Cells and Materials 12(Supp 1), pp. 54-54.
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J. and Duance, V. C. 2005. An intact cytoskeleton is essential to maintain articular cartilage chondrocyte metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 86(3), pp. A10-A11. (10.1111/j.0959-9673.2005.00426.x)
- Davies, L. C., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2004. Novel strategies for enhancing tissue integration in cartilage repair. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 85(1), pp. A21-A22. (10.1111/j.0959-9673.2004.369aa.x)
- 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.
- 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)
- Young, R. D., Vaughan-Thomas, A., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2002. Type II collagen deposition in cruciate ligament precedes osteoarthritis in the guinea pig knee. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 10(5), pp. 420-8. (10.1053/joca.2002.0530)
- 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)
- 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)
- Vaughan-Thomas, A., Young, R. D., Phillips, A. C. and Duance, V. C. 2001. Characterization of type XI collagen-glycosaminoglycan interactions. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 276(7), pp. 5303-5309. (10.1074/jbc.M008764200)
- Albon, J., Karwatowski, W. S., Easty, D. L., Sims, T. J. and Duance, V. C. 2000. Age related changes in the non-collagenous components of the extracellular matrix of the human lamina cribrosa. British Journal of Ophthalmology 84(3), pp. 311-317. (10.1136/bjo.84.3.311)
- Young, R. D., Lawrence, P. A., Duance, V. C., Aigner, T. and Monaghan, P. 2000. Immunolocalization of collagen Types II and III in single fibrils of human articular cartilage. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 48(3), pp. 423-432. (10.1177/002215540004800312)
- Vaughan-Thomas, A., Gilbert, S. J. and Duance, V. 2000. Elevated levels of proteolytic enzymes in the aging human vitreous. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 41(11), pp. 3299-32304.
- Gilbert, S. J., Wotton, P. R., Bailey, A. J., Sims, T. J. and Duance, V. C. 2000. Alterations in the organisation, ultrastructure and biochemistry of the myocardial collagen matrix in Doberman pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy. Research in Veterinary Science 69(3), pp. 267-274. (10.1053/rvsc.2000.0423)
- Gilbert, S. J., Wotton, P. R., Tarlton, J. F., Duance, V. C. and Bailey, A. J. 1997. Increased expression of promatrix metalloproteinase-9 and neutrophil elastase in canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular Research 34(2), pp. 377-383. (10.1016/S0008-6363(97)00011-4)
- Albon, J., Purslow, P. P., Duance, V. C., Easty, D. L. and Karwatowski, W. 1994. Mechanical compliance of the aging human lamina-cribrosa [Abstract]. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 35(4), pp. 1645-1645.
Book sections
- Blain, E. and Duance, V. 2018. Meniscus. In: Hutson, M. and Speed, C. eds. Sports Injuries. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press, pp. 45-53.
- Blain, E. J. and Duance, V. C. 2011. Tissue injury and repair : meniscus. In: Hutson, M. and Speed, C. eds. Sports Injuries. Oxford: Oxford, pp. 45-53.
Research
There are three main themes to the work of my research group (i) the structure and function of the minor collagens of cartilage, in particular types III, IX, X and XI, how they change with age and in disease, as well as their importance in cartilage repair (ii) elucidation of the cell signalling pathways associated with mechanical and cytokine mediated cartilage degeneration and (iii) strategies for enhancing cartilage repair.
We have identified novel interactions of the type IX collagen with fibronectin and type XI collagen with heparan sulphate, indicating these collagens may mediate cell/matrix interactions. We believe changes in the interactions of these collagens leads to a loss of matrix integrity and predispose cartilage to mechanically-induced tissue damage resulting in diseases such as osteoarthritis. To characterise molecular mechanisms underlying cartilage degradation we are isolating genes regulated by mechanical stimulation. We have shown that mechanical stimuli up-regulates the synthesis and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are mediated by thymosin ß4 which promotes disassembly of filamentous actin. Current research is aimed at elucidating the precise role of the different cytoskeletal elements in mechanotransduction mechanisms. We believe the cytoskeleton is pivotal in maintaining tissue homeostasis and that changes in the cytoskeleton may be instrumental in the catabolic phenotype that arises in these tissues with age.
We have investigated genes that are differentially regulated in the early stages of the development of osteoarthritis. One gene up-regulated is the Protein Activator of Protein Kinase R (PACT). Protein Kinase R (PKR) appears to be pivotal in cytokine signalling in chondrocytes. We have found that tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF- a) signals via the sphingolipid, ceramide, and PKR. We are investigating this and the mechanotransduction pathways using specific inhibitors as well as antisense techniques to inhibit expression of specific genes involved.
There is currently much interest in tissue engineering to elicit more effective repair of articular cartilage. We are devising protocols to stimulate chondrocytes to maintain their phenotype and synthesise a functionally competent matrix. We are investigating strategies to promote better integration of newly synthesised cartilage matrix with existing tissue in order to facilitate a more biomechanically functional and hence longer lasting repair. We can enhance the ability of chondrocytes to migrate and are currently investigating ways of increasing the ability of these migratory chondrocytes to synthesise matrix, an essential element for effective cartilage repair.
Awarded an Adjunct Professorship at Xi'an College of Medicine, China (2010)
Current sources of funding
- Department of Trade and Industry/Smith & Nephew
- Arthritis Research Campaign
- BBSRC
- EPSRC/Dorothy HodgkinPhD Award
- AstraZeneca
Collaborations
- Prof C Archer ( Swansea University) - Cartilage repair strategies.
- Dr D J Mason ( School of Biosciences, Cardiff University) - Molecular mechanisms of cytokine-induced cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis.
- Dr Martin Knight (Queen Mary University of London)
- Dr T Chowdhury - Mechanisms of mechanotransduction
- Prof. Richard Aspden ( Aberdeen) - Effect of impact loading on the chondrocyte cytoskeleton.
- Dr R D Young - Ultrastructural studies on molecular packing of heterotypic collagen fibrils.
- Dr S Roberts (Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry) - Biochemistry of the intervertebral disc and changes in disc pathologies.
- Prof D Aeschlimann (Matrix Biology Repair Group, Dental School, Cardiff University) - Characterising the phenotype of young and old Achilles tendon fibroblasts
- Dr John Wardale (Astra Zeneca, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield) - The role of the chondrocyte cytoskeleton in osteoarthritis
Affiliated staff
- Dr Ahmed Ali
- Dr Emma Blain
- Dr Cleo Bonnet
- Dr Sharon Dewitt
- Dr Carolina Dopico Gonzalez
- Dr Sophie Gilbert
- Dr Ann Harvey
- Dr Andrea Longman
- Dr Emma Mead
- Dr Helen Roberts
Contact Details
Sir Martin Evans Building, Room Connective Tissue Biology Laboratories, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX