# Ultrashort TE MR Imaging of Femorotibial Cartilage

> **NIH VA I01** · VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2021 · —

## Abstract

The general purpose of this study is to establish, validate and translate to clinical protocol, MR imaging
biomarkers that non-invasively reflect structure, function, and adaptive relationships between meniscus,
cartilage and subchondral bone based upon structural, histologic, and biomechanical reference standards. This
proposal incorporates our experience from past cartilage and meniscus research to develop a unified theory, that
of the meniscal osteochondral unit (M-OCU). This theory emphasizes the dynamic relationship between
meniscus, cartilage, subchondral bone and bone marrow. It is supported by structural and mechanical
relationships in the meniscus covered and uncovered osteochondral surfaces of the tibia, as well as by
pathologic phenotypes in knee OA. The development of a single study protocol that allows non-invasive
evaluation of the components of the M-OCU will facilitate understanding the degree and type of adaptation that
occurs in these tissues in the setting of an altered mechanical axis in meniscus-injured patients. The overall
hypothesis is that the intact M-OCU preserves a normal mechanical axis in the knee, and further that the
pattern of meniscal failure (acuity, location, character) will predict the response of the subjacent
osteochondral surface (adaptive response versus failure). Four specific aims are proposed: 1) cadaveric
knees, we will determine if high resolution 3D Cube MR measures of the subchondral bone and trabecular bone
can serve as biomarkers for structure and biomechanical function of tissue, for characterizing the structures of
the subchondral (SC) bone plate and SC trabecular bone using micro CT as a reference standard, 2) cadaveric
knees, will determine if MR measures of bone marrow can serve as biomarkers for marrow composition, and
together with bone structure, improve the prediction of biomechanical function of the surrounding trabecular
bone, 3) to evaluate the M-OCU (meniscus, cartilage, SC bone plate, SC trabecular bone, and bone marrow)
using morphologic and quantitative MR sequences with histologic, imaging, and biomechanical reference
standards, and 4) to translate MR imaging evaluation of the M-OCU with a novel load-bearing technique, to 2
meniscal repair cohorts pre- and post-treatment over time to characterize degree and patterns of adaptive
remodeling. Aims 1 and 2 will establish sensitivity of MR techniques, magnified by novel hardware and
software optimization, to structure and function of SC bone plate and SC trabecular bone. Aim 3 will be a
translational aim, to perform whole-joint MR analysis of M-OCU in normal vs. pathologic knees of cadavers.
Aim 4 will apply all of the developed techniques to meniscus-deficient patient cohorts, one receiving traditional
meniscectomy vs. another receiving meniscus-conserving treatments, which is hypothesized to better preserve
mechanical axis, lead to gradual adaptation of M-OCU, and better clinical outcome.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10038791
- **Project number:** 5I01CX000625-08
- **Recipient organization:** VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTINE B CHUNG
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-10-01 → 2021-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10038791

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10038791, Ultrashort TE MR Imaging of Femorotibial Cartilage (5I01CX000625-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10038791. Licensed CC0.

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