Have you ever wondered how inflammation affects more than just swelling or pain? Introducing DIONE—a groundbreaking research consortium that’s changing how we understand the connection between inflammation and bone health.
What is DIONE?
DIONE, or Transregio (TRR) 369, is a cutting-edge research network funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)). With a team of 30 top scientists spread across 19 subprojects, DIONE brings together expertise from key research hubs at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Technische Universität Dresden, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e.V., and Universität Ulm. Together, they are pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.
So, what does DIONE do?
DIONE’s mission is to explore how inflammation affects bone health, particularly through a field known as osteoimmunology. By studying how the immune system and bone tissue interact, the team aims to uncover the hidden mechanisms that link inflammation to conditions like osteoporosis.
When inflammation strikes, it doesn’t just cause pain—it prompts immune cells to release powerful signals like cytokines. These signals disrupt the delicate balance between cells that build bone (osteoblasts) and those that break it down (osteoclasts). Over time, this can lead to serious conditions like bone loss and fractures, particularly in people with chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, periodontitis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Why does DIONE matter?
Osteoporosis is already a global health challenge, affecting over 200 million people worldwide. But what if inflammation is a bigger part of the story than we thought? DIONE is here to fill that knowledge gap by identifying the molecular pathways that drive bone loss in inflammatory diseases.
By collaborating across disciplines—biology, clinical research, and bioinformatics—DIONE is paving the way for new, innovative treatments that could dramatically improve the quality of life for patients dealing with inflammation-driven bone damage.
Join Us on This Journey!
DIONE isn’t just about research—it’s about reshaping the future of bone health. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the science behind inflammation and bone degeneration, and follow us for updates on how we’re working to make a difference in millions of lives.
New paper published: L-arginine as a booster of bone health?
Could a common amino acid prove to be a potential therapeutic agent for the reduction of arthritis and bone loss?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects millions of people worldwide, causing joint pain and bone loss due to the excessive activity of bone-resorbing cells, known as osteoclasts. The latest research findings indicate that L-arginine, a common amino acid, may play a pivotal role in the inhibition of this destructive process. It was discovered that L-arginine has the capacity to „reprogram“ osteoclasts, effecting a transition in their energy production from a process that is conducive to bone loss to one that is inhibitory. By modifying the cells‘ metabolism, L-arginine effectively reduces osteoclast formation and activity, resulting in reduced bone erosion. This discovery provides a potential avenue for developing new treatments for RA that utilise the properties of this amino acid to protect our bones. Could L-arginine supplements become a simple and effective strategy to combat arthritis and preserve bone health? Our findings suggest that this is a possibility that warrants further investigation.
Read more here ⬇
https://doi.org/10.1136/ard-2022-223626
Start of the 1st DIONE Trainingsweek
We’re thrilled to announce the kickoff of the #TRR369 #DIONE Student Training Week focused on #inflammation models! 🧬
Young scientists are coming together to deepen their knowledge and skills in cutting-edge osteoimmunology research. 🧑🔬👩🔬
With a focus on understanding the complex link between inflammation and #bone #health, this week is all about hands-on learning, human inflammatory diseases and collaboration across disciplines. 🌍🔬
Stay tuned for updates and breakthroughs from these rising stars in research! ✨💡
