Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disease and a major cause of pain and disability worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that vasculature plays a key role in OA pathogenesis. Lymphatic vessels contribute to the resolution of inflammation through the clearance of inflammatory mediators, while blood vessels are associated with disease progression and inflammatory responses. However, current therapeutic strategies often fail to distinguish between these vascular systems.
This project aims to elucidate the distinct roles of lymphatic and blood vessels in OA and identify strategies for their selective targeting. Starting from an established lymphatics-on-chip set-up, a dual lymphatic/blood vessel-on-chip set-up will be developed, including key components of the joint microenvironment such as cytokines, synoviocytes and chondrocytes. In parallel, a synovial membrane explant model will be established to investigate the mechanisms in healthy and inflammatory conditions.

Single-cell RNA sequencing will be used to identify cell-specific molecular pathways involved in inflammation and vascular regulation, enabling the discovery of potential therapeutic targets for validation in the developed models. Additionally, transcriptomic profiling of cells within the organ-on-a-chip system will be performed to assess its physiological relevance. Together, this study will advance our understanding of vascular involvement in OA and support the development of more targeted therapeutic approaches.

Since September 2026

• Osteoarthritis
• Lymphatic vessels
• Blood vessels
• Single cell RNA sequencing
• Organ-on-a-chip
• Explant
• Synovial membrane

MSc in Biomedical Sciences, 2026
KU Leuven, Belgium
Thesis: “Establishing a lymphatics-on-a-chip model to study bone marrow mesenchymal-lymphatic endothelial cell interactions in non-union fractures”

BSc in Biomedical Sciences, 2024
KU Leuven, Belgium

List of publications

helena.ghyselen [at] kuleuven.be

Tissue Engineering Unit
Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center
Onderwijs en Navorsing 4, +6
Herenstraat 49
3000 Leuven

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