Distinct Endothelial cell transcriptional regulation and function

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis are two of the most common forms of Inflammatory arthritis. While both are associated with synovial inflammation and subsequent cartilage/bone destruction, the mechanisms involved are different. A number of studies have demonstrated distinct differences in the macroscopic and microscopic analysis of RA and PsA, with particular reference to the distinct vascular morphology. While RA display straight, regular branching vessels, in PsA elongated, dilated, tortuous vessels are observed. In addition, the invasive lining layer differs between the two arthropathies, in addition to immune cell infiltrates. This study will isolate single endothelial cells from the synovium of both PsA and RA and characterize their phenotype and function. Furthermore single cell RNAseq analysis will give significant insight into the transcriptional regulation of endothelial cell function in both arthropathies.  Manipulation of these pathways will then be examined in primary RA and PsA endothelial cell cultures, and their functional interaction with immune cells.