The research of Amarjit S. Virdi, PhD, is focused on bone tissue regeneration and stem cell biology. There is a translational aspect to this research in orthopedics whereby it can be applied to enhance bone fracture healing, implant fixation and implant loosening to investigate responses at the molecular, cell and tissue level.
Our work
Orthopedic surgery has made an enormous impact on human health by remedying a variety of skeleton diseases and defects. Nonetheless, some major challenges remain which demand additional resources such as growth factors, cells and biomaterials; the three tenets of tissue engineering. Our lab has been using pre-clinical models to emulate clinical scenarios observed in orthopedics and investigate tissue repair and response through genetic, cellular and mechanical outcomes. These models include large bone defects, bone formation around metallic prostheses, and loss of bone leading to failure of implants. Such efforts have been supported by foundations, pharmaceutical industry, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Defense.
Technology and methods
- Pre-clinical models of bone regeneration
- Molecular analysis of gene expression
- Cell culture
- Micro computed tomography
- Histology
- Mechanical testing
Publications
- Virdi AS, Irish J, Sena K, Liu M, Ke HZ, McNulty MA, Sumner DR. Sclerostin antibody treatment improves implant fixation in a model of severe osteoporosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015 Jan 21;97(2):133-40. PubMed PMID: 25609440.
- Virdi AS, Liu M, Sena K, Maletich J, McNulty M, Ke HZ, Sumner DR. Sclerostin antibody increases bone volume and enhances implant fixation in a rat model. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2012 Sep 19;94(18):1670-80. PubMed PMID: 22992878; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3444952.
- Wise JK, Sena K, Vranizan K, Pollock JF, Healy KE, Hughes WF, Sumner DR, Virdi AS. Temporal gene expression profiling during rat femoral marrow ablation-induced intramembranous bone regeneration. PLoS One. 2010 Oct 1;5(10). pii: e12987. PubMed PMID: 20957030; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2948496.
- McNulty MA, Virdi AS, Christopherson KW, Sena K, Frank RR, Sumner DR. Adult stem cell mobilization enhances intramembranous bone regeneration: a pilot study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2012 Sep;470(9):2503-12. PubMed PMID: 22528386; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3830081.
- Wise JK, Sumner DR, Virdi AS. Modulation of stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXC chemokine receptor 4 axis enhances rhBMP-2-induced ectopic bone formation. Tissue Eng Part A. 2012 Apr;18(7-8):860-9. Epub 2012 Jan 4. PubMed PMID: 22035136; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3313617.
- Ross RD, Virdi AS, Liu S, Sena K, Sumner DR. Particle-induced osteolysis is not accompanied by systemic remodeling but is reflected by systemic bone biomarkers. J Orthop Res. 2014 Jul;32(7):967-73. Epub 2014 Mar 6. PubMed PMID: 24604767.
- Liu S, Virdi AS, Sena K, Sumner DR. Sclerostin antibody prevents particle-induced implant loosening by stimulating bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption in a rat model. Arthritis Rheum. 2012 Dec;64(12):4012-20. PubMed PMID: 23192793.
- Sena K, Angle SR, Kanaji A, Aher C, Karwo DG, Sumner DR, Virdi AS. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and cell-to-cell communication in bone marrow stromal cells. Ultrasonics. 2011 Jul;51(5):639-44. PubMed PMID: 21333315.
- Angle SR, Sena K, Sumner DR, Virkus WW, Virdi AS. Combined use of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and rhBMP-2 to enhance bone formation in a rat model of critical size defect. J Orthop Trauma. 2014 Oct;28(10):605-11. PubMed PMID: 24464096; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4108582.
A full list of publications can be found at PubMed.
Contact
Amarjit S. Virdi, PhD
Professor
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology
Rush University Medical Center
600 S. Paulina Street, Suite AcFc 1038D
Chicago, IL 60612
Tel: (312) 942 5143
Fax: (312) 942 5744
Email: amarjit_virdi@rush.edu