Fraser Collins Research Group

Synovial fibroblast biology

Dr Fraser Collins

Versus Arthritis Career Development Fellow

Contact details

Research in a Nutshell

I am an investigator in the Rheumatology Research Group. Meet our Team and read about our research on our Team page.

My research focuses on the molecular regulation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), a specialised cell type in the synovial lining that is crucial for maintaining a healthy joint. Using preclinical models of cartilage injury, 3D organoid systems that replicate joint tissue structures and single-cell omics technologies, we aim to identify factors that control the differentiation and maintenance of adult FLS and understand how they become dysregulated following joint injury and arthritis.

Key Publications

  1. Collins, F. L., Roelofs, A. J., Symons, R. A., Kania, K., Campbell, E., Collie-duguid, E. S. R., Riemen, A. H. K., Clark, S. M., & De Bari, C. (2023). Taxonomy of fibroblasts and progenitors in the synovial joint at single-cell resolution. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 82(3), 428–437. https://doi.org/10.1136/ard-2021-221682
  2. Symons, R. A., Colella, F., Collins, F. L., Rafipay, A. J., Kania, K., McClure, J. J., White, N., Cunningham, I., Ashraf, S., Hay, E., Mackenzie, K. S., Howard, K. A., Riemen, A. H. K., Manzo, A., Clark, S. M., Roelofs, A. J., & De Bari, C. (2022). Targeting the IL-6–Yap–Snail signalling axis in synovial fibroblasts ameliorates inflammatory arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 81(2), 214–224. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220875
  3. Roelofs, A. J., Kania, K., Rafipay, A. J., Sambale, M., Kuwahara, S. T., Collins, F. L., Smeeton, J., Serowoky, M. A., Rowley, L., Wang, H., Gronewold, R., Kapeni, C., Méndez-Ferrer, S., Little, C. B., Bateman, J. F., Pap, T., Mariani, F. V, Sherwood, J., Crump, J. G., & De Bari, C. (2020). Identification of the skeletal progenitor cells forming osteophytes in osteoarthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 79(12), 1625–1634. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-218350
  4. Collins, F. L., Irwin, R., Bierhalter, H., Schepper, J., Britton, R. A., Parameswaran, N., & McCabe, L. R. (2016). Lactobacillus reuteri 6475 Increases Bone Density in Intact Females Only under an Inflammatory Setting. PloS One, 11(4), e0153180. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0153180
  5. Collins, F. L., Rios-Arce, N. D., Schepper, J. D., Jones, A. D., Schaefer, L., Britton, R. A., McCabe, L. R., & Parameswaran, N. (2019). Beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri 6475 on bone density in male mice is dependent on lymphocytes. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-51293-8 

Full publication list can be found on Research Explorer: Fraser Collins - University of Edinburgh Research Explorer

Collaborations

  • Dr Tristan Maerz, University of Michigan
  • Dr Alexander Knights, Washington University
  • Dr Erika Kague, University of Edinburgh
  • Professor Paul McKeigue, University of Edinburgh
  • Professor Nara Parameswaran, Michigan State University
  • Professor Laura McCabe, Michigan State University
  • Professor Robert Britton, Baylor College of Medicine

Partners and Funders

  • Versus Arthritis (Career Development Fellowship)

 

Scientific Themes

Synovial fibroblasts, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS)

Disease Areas

Arthritis

Technology Expertise

Single-cell omics, organoid cultures, preclinical models of arthritis

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