James N. MacLeod, VMD, PhD
Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center
Department of Veterinary Science
University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0099
Laboratory of Equine Musculoskeletal Sciences
Physical exertion and the musculoskeletal stress of athletic events predispose both
horses and humans to joint injuries. In fact, pain and lameness associated with
joint disease is a primary variable that limits many athletic careers.
My laboratory conducts biomedical research on articular cartilage, primarily focused
on the cell biology of chondrocytes. We study changes in chondrocyte gene expression
that occur during normal maturation, when joints develop arthritis, and associated
with efforts to heal joint surface lesions.
Additional experiments focus on how the function of cartilage and synovial cells
is regulated by cell/matrix interactions and influenced by intra-articular medications.
Finally, we are interested in genomics and the identification of genetic determinants
that influence both congenital and acquired musculoskeletal diseases.
Projects
- Articular Cartilage Maturation and Repair.
- Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis and Therapy.
- Cartilage-Restricted Fibronectin Isoform.
- Gene Mapping, SNP Genotyping, Association Studies, and Transcriptional Profiling.