Reference number : GC-2017-Q1-03213, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Kapoor, Mohit (University of Toronto), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Discovery Grants Program - Individual, program name french : Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles, program purpose english : Background/Rationale: Synovial fibroblasts are predominant cells present in the synovial membrane and are crucial for the maintenance of joint homeostasis by contributing towards the production of extracellular matrix (ECM). Synovial fibroblasts in response to specific stimuli (cytokines and growth factors) acquire myofibroblast-type phenotype and produce excessive amount of ECM resulting in tissue fibrosis and loss of function. The endogenous mediators that control synovial fibroblast functions (differentiation, migration, proliferation and adhesion) and ECM production are largely unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate more than 60% of all coding genes and play pivotal roles in various pathophysiological processes. The exact role of microRNAs in synovial fibroblast biology and functions is largely unknown. 
 
 Preliminary Studies: Our recent studied have identified a panel of microRNAs (miR-23a-3p, 24-3p, 27a-3p, 27b-3p, 29c-3p, 186-5p and 378a-5p) that are highly abundant in normal human synovium, especially synovial fibroblasts and their expression is dramatically elevated in response to inflammatory stimuli, IL-1&beta;. The specific roles of these identified miRNAs in synovial biology and its functions has never been reported. Our preliminary data shows that, in response to inflammatory IL-1&beta; stimulation (and not TNF-&alpha; or IL-6), all these miRNAs show significant elevation in their expression. Our pilot data on miR-27b-3p strongly suggest that miR-27b-3p is activated by IL-1&beta; and is involved in fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production. We anticipate that other identified miRNAs may also play a role in certain synovial fibroblast functions associated with ECM production. 
 
 Hypothesis: miRNAs may play a central role in controlling the ECM production by inducing the differentiation of synovial fibroblast to myofibroblast-like cells as well as in synovial fibroblast migration, proliferation and adhesive signaling in the synovium. 
 
To examine the exact role(s) of miRNAs in ECM production, the major objectives of this program are: 
1. Determine the role of identified microRNAs in synovial fibroblast differentiation (fibroblast-myofibroblast like cells), proliferation and survival. 
2. Determine the role of identified microRNAs in synovial fibroblast migration, adhesive signaling, ECM contraction and its production. 
3. Identify the signaling pathways through which these miRNAs operate in synovial fibroblasts to mediate ECM production. 
 
Significance: This research program will enable significant advancement in the field of synovial fibroblast biology and help identify crucial endogenous mechanisms that control synovial fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation, migration, adhesion and ECM production. This program will also provide world-class training to create highly skilled and qualified research personnel., program purpose french : Background/Rationale: Synovial fibroblasts are predominant cells present in the synovial membrane and are crucial for the maintenance of joint homeostasis by contributing towards the production of extracellular matrix (ECM). Synovial fibroblasts in response to specific stimuli (cytokines and growth factors) acquire myofibroblast-type phenotype and produce excessive amount of ECM resulting in tissue fibrosis and loss of function. The endogenous mediators that control synovial fibroblast functions (differentiation, migration, proliferation and adhesion) and ECM production are largely unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate more than 60% of all coding genes and play pivotal roles in various pathophysiological processes. The exact role of microRNAs in synovial fibroblast biology and functions is largely unknown. 
 
 Preliminary Studies: Our recent studied have identified a panel of microRNAs (miR-23a-3p, 24-3p, 27a-3p, 27b-3p, 29c-3p, 186-5p and 378a-5p) that are highly abundant in normal human synovium, especially synovial fibroblasts and their expression is dramatically elevated in response to inflammatory stimuli, IL-1&beta;. The specific roles of these identified miRNAs in synovial biology and its functions has never been reported. Our preliminary data shows that, in response to inflammatory IL-1&beta; stimulation (and not TNF-&alpha; or IL-6), all these miRNAs show significant elevation in their expression. Our pilot data on miR-27b-3p strongly suggest that miR-27b-3p is activated by IL-1&beta; and is involved in fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production. We anticipate that other identified miRNAs may also play a role in certain synovial fibroblast functions associated with ECM production. 
 
 Hypothesis: miRNAs may play a central role in controlling the ECM production by inducing the differentiation of synovial fibroblast to myofibroblast-like cells as well as in synovial fibroblast migration, proliferation and adhesive signaling in the synovium. 
 
To examine the exact role(s) of miRNAs in ECM production, the major objectives of this program are: 
1. Determine the role of identified microRNAs in synovial fibroblast differentiation (fibroblast-myofibroblast like cells), proliferation and survival. 
2. Determine the role of identified microRNAs in synovial fibroblast migration, adhesive signaling, ECM contraction and its production. 
3. Identify the signaling pathways through which these miRNAs operate in synovial fibroblasts to mediate ECM production. 
 
Significance: This research program will enable significant advancement in the field of synovial fibroblast biology and help identify crucial endogenous mechanisms that control synovial fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation, migration, adhesion and ECM production. This program will also provide world-class training to create highly skilled and qualified research personnel., agreement title english : Role of microRNAs in synovial fibroblast biology and functions, agreement title french : Role of microRNAs in synovial fibroblast biology and functions, agreement number : RGPIN, agreement value : 140000.0, agreement start date : 2017-05-10, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023), additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2022-2023), owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada