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Research Highlights

Multi-scale Modelling of Inflammation and Mechanical Loading in Knee Osteoarthritis

This work presents an integrative multi-scale framework linking obesity-associated inflammatory regulation and mechanical loading in knee osteoarthritis. The model connects tissue-level loading with biological inflammatory pathways to examine how mechanical and biochemical factors interact during disease progression.

Integrative multi-scale framework of knee joint degeneration coupling repetitive mechanical loading, inflammatory processes, cartilage material updates, and tissue degeneration

The integrative multi-scale framework of the knee joint degeneration in mechanics and inflammation.
From: Lai J, Lacroix D. Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology 2026; 25(3): 55.
© 2026 The Author(s). Open access under CC BY 4.0.

Inflammation and Obesity in Osteoarthritis

This work developed a five-variable mechanistic model of obesity-associated osteoarthritis inflammation. The simulations examined how adipokines, BMI, physical activity level, and tissue damage influence inflammatory dynamics, including the dynamics of inflammation and the timing of physical activity interventions.

Schematic inflammatory network of cartilage incorporating pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, MMPs, fibronectin fragments, and adipokines modulated by BMI and physical activity level

Schematic inflammatory network of cartilage.
From: Lai J, Lacroix D. PLoS One 2025; 20(6): e0323258.
© 2025 Lai & Lacroix. Open access under CC BY 4.0.

Finite element study of the effect of cross-link stabilisation in a lumbar spine tumour model

This finite element study simulated different sizes of tumour lesions in a lumbar spine model with cross-link stabilisation. It assessed how tumour volume and cross-link position affect the spine biomechanical responses under compression, bending, and torsion.

Graphical abstract: lumbar spine tumour FE model showing vertebral stress distribution under physiological loading and cross-link stabilisation configurations

Cross-link stabilisation in a lumbar spine tumour finite element model.
From: Lai J, Tomlinson J, Breakwell L, Lacroix D. Proc. IMechE Part H 2025; doi:10.1177/09544119251348279.
© 2025 The Author(s). Open access under CC BY 4.0.

Publications

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  1. Lai J, Lacroix D. A novel integrative multi-scale framework of inflammation and mechanical loading in knee osteoarthritis. Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology 2026; 25(3): 55. doi:10.1007/s10237-026-02072-8
  2. Lai J, Lacroix D. A computational study of adiposity-associated factors in the inflammatory process of osteoarthritis. Journal of Theoretical Biology 2026; 625: 112429. doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2026.112429
  3. Lai J, Lacroix D. Mathematical modelling of inflammatory process and obesity in osteoarthritis. PLoS One 2025; 20(6): e0323258. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0323258
  4. Lai J, Tomlinson J, Breakwell L, Lacroix D. A finite element study of the effect of cross-link stabilisation in a lumbar spine tumour model. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 2025. doi:10.1177/09544119251348279