The specific objectives of this project are:~Using the latest single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) techniques the investigators aim to A) characterize what kind of cell populations are found in different synovial tissues and blood derived samples of OA patients, B) determine how the cell composition differs between arthritic and corresponding non-arthritic tissues, C) map the transcriptional and regulatory landscape of the cells mentioned in A and B, D) determine what are the key molecular pathways activated in OA.~To determine if some of the blood-derived immune cell populations could be used as biomarkers for OA.~To map the whole transcriptome of OA and non-arthritic control tissue while keeping the morphological context with spatial transcriptomics technologies.~Further differentiation and identification of OA endotypes utilizing the single-cell and spatial data.~The project includes a Rheumatoid sub-study where the main objective is to compare arthritic tissue and peripheral blood constituents between OA and rheumatoid arthritis patients to explore the differences in the disease mechanisms.
The purpose of this study is to cast light on the highly complex etiology and cellular landscape of hip osteoarthritis by utilising single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.