title: The STR/ort mouse model of spontaneous osteoarthritis - an update.
abstract: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and a world-wide healthcare burden. Characterized by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone thickening and osteophyte formation, osteoarthritis inflicts much pain and suffering, for which there are currently no disease-modifying treatments available. Mouse models of osteoarthritis are proving critical in advancing our understanding of the underpinning molecular mechanisms. The STR/ort mouse is a well-recognized model which develops a natural form of osteoarthritis very similar to the human disease. In this Review we discuss the use of the STR/ort mouse in understanding this multifactorial disease with an emphasis on recent advances in its genetics and its bone, endochondral and immune phenotypes.
authors.affiliation: Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK; School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK. Electronic address: Katherine.staines@roslin.ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Staines
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ageing and Chronic Diseases, Musculoskeletal Biology 1, University of Liverpool, Room 286, Second Floor, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK. Electronic address: b.poulet@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Poulet
authors.affiliation: The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK. Electronic address: diorbhail@hotmail.co.uk.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Wentworth
authors.affiliation: The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK. Electronic address: apitsillides@rvc.ac.uk.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pitsillides
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype
keywords: Articular cartilage; Osteoarthritis; STR/ort; Subchondral bone