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Home - Science - Scientist Directory - Griffin, Timothy M.

Timothy M. Griffin, Ph.D.

Associate Member
Aging & Metabolism Research Program

Research Biologist, Oklahoma City VA Health Care System Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Member, Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging and Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

My 101

When we imagine retirement, we often picture ourselves traveling to new lands and getting back in touch with nature through gardening or taking hikes. We take for granted that our bodies will carry us forward into these hard-earned dreams. However, for over 32 million Americans, these dreams may be put on hold due to joint pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and it’s the leading cause of disability in the U.S. My lab is studying how this disease begins and how we can treat people already suffering from it.

The chances of developing osteoarthritis increase as we age, put on weight, or injure our joints. Although conventional wisdom holds that increased pressure on joints from carrying excess weight causes osteoarthritis, this is far from a complete answer. Recent discoveries suggest that fat itself is a critical mediator of the disease. Fat is not just storing excess energy from food. Rather, fat acts like an organ by releasing molecules that affect how the body functions. When the body has too much fat, it can release molecules that activate immune cells and cause inflammation.

My lab is studying how obesity alters the metabolic machinery of tissues and cells within the joint. We believe that excess fat causes metabolic changes that promote joint inflammation, tissue damage, and ultimately joint pain. Luckily, these negative effects of excess fat can be reversed through exercise, even without weight loss. Many studies show that staying active is the best way to reduce osteoarthritis pain. Therefore, we're also studying how exercise breaks the cycle of metabolic inflammation and pain to develop new treatment options for people to live more active lives free from limitations. By focusing on the metabolic basis of osteoarthritis, we expect to open up new treatment strategies by painting a more complete picture of this costly disease.

Research

Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by cartilage destruction and abnormal bone growth resulting in joint pain and severe disability. It is the primary cause of disability in the United States, and it contributes significantly to reductions in health that occur with aging. Although osteoarthritis is often considered an inevitable consequence of aging, numerous genetic and environment risk factors have been identified that mediate its occurrence and severity. One of the most significant and modifiable risk factors is obesity.

Our laboratory uses integrative and interdisciplinary approaches to study how obesity dysregulates biomechanical, inflammatory, and metabolic processes that are associated with the development of osteoarthritis. We are seeking to determine how dietary fats, adipokines (e.g., leptin), and cyclic joint loading regulate articular cartilage homeostasis via effects on chondrocyte mitochondrial function and free radical biology. We are particularly interested in the role of sirtuins (e.g., Sirt3) as regulators of cellular metabolism and oxidative stress responses that help maintain chondrocyte function during aging, obesity, and injury. In addition, we are investigating how intra-articular adipose tissue modulates joint inflammation by altering the metabolic environment of the joint.

We are also interested in understanding how physical activity interacts with obesity-related phenotypes to regulate these processes in healthy and diseased tissue. Therefore, we use a variety of models spanning multiple levels of organization (e.g., cell, tissue, and animal) to study the effect of voluntary exercise (in vivo) and controlled biomechanical loading regimes (in vitro) on inflammatory, metabolic, and anti-oxidant processes in cartilage.

By studying the interaction of diet and physical activity (i.e., two modifiable risk factors for obesity) during aging, we hope to reveal novel pathways that regulate cartilage matrix homeostasis. Furthermore, by examining behavioral changes in our animal models that are associated with motor function and pain, we emphasize clinically relevant outcome measures so that we can better translate our finding to patients. These studies provide a basis for examining how therapeutic interventions that target inflammatory, metabolic, or oxidative processes affect joint-specific pathophysiology and functional outcomes.

Brief CV

Education
B.A., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 1996
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, CA, 2002
Postdoc, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 2002–2007

Honors and Awards
New Investigator Award, American Physiological Society, 2003
NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, NIAMS, 2004
Hulda Irene Duggan Arthritis Investigator Award, Arthritis Foundation, 2007
Young Investigator Award, Osteoarthritis Research Society International World Congress on Osteoarthritis, 2007
Outstanding Postdoc Award, Duke University, 2007
Melba M. O’Connell Memorial Fellow, Arthritis National Research Foundation, 2010
Top 10 Arthritis Advances, Arthritis Foundation, 2010
Fred Jones Award for Scientific Achievement, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 2016
Arthritis Foundation Medical Honoree, OKC Arthritis Walk, 2018
Health Care Hero, The Journal Record, 2020
Merrick Award for Outstanding Medical Research, 2020

Professional Activities
Invited Participant, NIH NIAMS Roundtable on OA and Inflammation, 2013
Advisory Editor, Arthritis & Rheumatology, 2013-2016
Co-chair, Cartilage, Synovium & Osteoarthritis Topic Committee, Orthopaedic Research Society, 2014-2016
Member, NIH NIAMS Biospecimen Review and Allocation Committee for the Osteoarthritis Initiative, 2015-present
Section Leader (OA Laboratory Grants), Arthritis Foundation's Delivering on Discovery Peer Review, 2015
Editorial Board Member, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2016-2019
Ad hoc reviewer, SBSR Study Section, NIH, 2017-present
Associate Editor, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2019-present

Memberships

American Physiological Society
Orthopaedic Research Society
Osteoarthritis Research Society International

Joined OMRF scientific staff in 2008

Publications

View more publications

Recent Publications

Chusyd DE, Brown JL, Golzarri-Arroyo L, Dickinson SL, Kraus VB, Siegal-Willott J, Griffin TM, Huebner JL, Edwards KL, Allison DB, Austad SN. Relationship between reproductive and bone biomarkers and osteoarthritis in zoo asian (elephas maximus) and African (loxodonta africana) elephants J Zoo Wildl Med 53:801-810, 2023 January, PMID: 36640083

Hahn AK, Batushansky A, Rawle RA, Prado Lopes EB, June RK, Griffin TM. Effects of long-term exercise and a high-fat diet on synovial fluid metabolomics and joint structural phenotypes in mice: an integrated network analysis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 29:1549-1563, 2021 November, PMID: 34461226, PMCID: PMC8542629

Andriacchi TP, Griffin TM, Loeser RF Jr, Chu CR, Roos EM, Hawker GA, Erhart-Hledik JC, Fischer AG. Bridging Disciplines as a pathway to Finding New Solutions for Osteoarthritis a collaborative program presented at the 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Osteoarthr Cartil Open 2:100026, 2020 January, PMID: 36474561, PMCID: PMC9718333

Selected Publications

Griffin TM, Batushansky A, Hudson J, Lopes EBP. (2020) Correlation Network Analysis Reveals Distinct Systemic Links To Osteoarthritis in Mice: Effects of Long-Term High Fat Diet and Exercise. J Health and Sport Science (Special Issue on Exercise, Metabolism, Obesity, and Musculoskeletal Health). 9(2):119-131. doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2019.05.008.

Griffin TM, Lories RJ. (2020) Cracking the code on the innate immune program in OA. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 28(5):529-531. PMID: 32278072

Griffin TM, Friedman JE. (2020) How can parental obesity promote OA across generations? Nature Rev Rheumatology. 16(3):129-130. PMID: 31949286

Andriacchi TP, Griffin TM, Loeser Jr RF, Chu CR, Roos EM, Hawker GA, Erhart-Hledik JC, Fischer AG. (2020) Bridging Disciplines as a pathway to Finding New Solutions for Osteoarthritis a collaborative program presented at the 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open. March;2(1):100026. doi.org/10.1016/j.ocarto.2020.100026

Zhu S, Makosa D, Miller BF, Griffin TM. (2020) Glutathione as a mediator of cartilage oxidative stress resistance and resilience during aging and osteoarthritis. Connective Tissue Research. Jan;61(1):34-47. doi: 10.1080/03008207.2019.1665035. Epub 2019 Sep 15. PMID: 31522568, PMCID: PMC6884680

Batushansky A, Lopes EBP, Zhu S, Humphries KM, Griffin TM. (2019) GC-MS Method for Metabolic Profiling of Mouse Femoral Head Articular Cartilage Reveals Distinct Effects of Tissue Culture and Development. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 27(9);1361-1371. PMID: 31136803, PMCID: PMC6702098

Contact

Aging & Metabolism Research Program, MS 21
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 N.E. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: (405) 271-7579
Fax: (405) 271-1437
E-mail: Tim-Griffin@omrf.org

For media inquiries, please contact OMRF’s Office of Public Affairs at news@omrf.org.

Lab Staff

Padmaja Mehta D'Souza, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist

Atul Pranay, Ph.D.
Associate Staff Scientist

Pratibha Dube
Research Technician II

Jeannie Evans
Project Coordinator II

News from the Griffin lab

Dr. Griffin in the Media

News from the Griffin lab

Changing the Complexion of Science
August 24, 2022

A partnership with Langston University aims to draw more Black students to biomedical research.

OMRF research reveals benefits of exercise on osteoarthritis
November 9, 2021

Exercise can benefit osteoarthritis sufferers even in the absence of weight loss, research finds.

OMRF to expand world-class biomedical data analytics and visualization with new data science center
June 23, 2021

“This has the potential to revolutionize how we do science at OMRF,” said OMRF scientist Tim Griffin.

OMRF awarded $13.1 million federal grant for metabolism research
February 4, 2021

The funding will establish the Center for Cellular Metabolism Research in Oklahoma and supports five junior researchers.

New approach shows promise for arthritis relief
November 10, 2020

There are no approved treatments for osteoarthritis, which affects an estimated 50 million Americans.

OMRF honors scientists, board member
April 21, 2020

OMRF doled out awards at its annual spring board meeting on Tuesday.

Be My Dr. Valentine
February 11, 2020

OMRF couple balances a life shared in the lab and home.

OMRF researchers receive $1.3 million in VA funding for aging research
October 9, 2019

Holly Van Remmen and Tim Griffin received VA funding to focus on a pair of diseases prevalent in aging veterans.

Scientists break new ground with old technique to find answers to arthritis
June 12, 2019

OMRF scientists Tim Griffin and Albert Batushansky are pushing the bounds of a decades-old scientific method to study the origins of osteoarthritis.

Searching for new arthritis treatments
April 24, 2019

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in adults in the U.S. Understandably, this has led to much concern about the future of arthritis treatment.

Dietary carbohydrates could lead to osteoarthritis, new study finds
August 9, 2018

Do your knees ache? Your diet could be a culprit.

OMRF discovers new approach to treating obesity
April 4, 2018

The findings could potentially lead to new drugs to help weight loss or combat obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

OMRF research shows how exercise can benefit cartilage
October 19, 2017

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of disability in the U.S., affecting nearly 31 million Americans.

OMRF researchers identify gene mutation present in pair of diseases
September 18, 2017

OMRF researchers found mutations in PDGF receptor beta can trigger two rare diseases.

Investigating the role of obesity in arthritis
February 21, 2017

Osteoarthritis, or OA, is the most common form of disability in the U.S.

$6.5 million grant will benefit cardiovascular research at OMRF
August 17, 2016

OMRF has received a 5-year NIH grant to continue heart and blood research.

OMRF adds board member, honors scientists at spring meeting
April 14, 2016

OMRF hosted its annual spring board meeting on Wednesday.

OMRF scientists make discovery that could yield new arthritis therapies
March 16, 2016

Osteoarthritis affects roughly 27 million people in the United States.

Nerdy Holidays to You: Gift Ideas for Budding Scientists
December 17, 2015

Looking for something special for that whiz kid on your holiday list?

OMRF research sheds new light on effects of aging in knee joints
December 1, 2015

OMRF researchers have identified new arthritis culprits.

OMRF scientist receives grant to study how aging, obesity effect arthritis
May 26, 2015

Osteoarthritis affects more than 25 million Americans.

Molecule could limit development of obesity
July 31, 2014

Low levels of CXCR4 lead to weight gain, obesity in mice.

Heart function, osteoarthritis pain grants funded
December 20, 2012

OMRF scientists delving deeper into the roles free radicals play in biology.

Building a better mouse wheel
September 17, 2012

An OMRF invention will lead to more data on osteoarthritis and obesity.

Exercise reduces symptoms of arthritis in obese mice
September 27, 2011

Even without weight loss, exercise improves joints.

Next generation of OMRF scientists brings major grants and innovation
July 6, 2010

Eight new scientists have secured $11.57 million in grants so far.

OMRF joins with U.S. military academies to train students
June 21, 2010

Muskogee physician funds special OMRF program for cadets, midshipmen.

OMRF researcher makes headway against arthritis
June 1, 2010

Work cited Arthritis Foundation as among “most influential” for 2009

Weight is not the only factor in osteoarthritis
September 29, 2009

Other factors could play a role in severity of damage to joints

The Next Generation OMRF adds new scientists to spur growth, discovery
October 6, 2008

A new wave of researchers has joined the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s scientific staff as part of the foundation’s expansion. OMRF has added seven new scientists to its staff. In addition, two research assistants have been promoted to faculty-level positions. The new researchers have come to OMRF from a variety of institutions across the U.S. […]

Triple Double
August 26, 2019

For three pairs of OMRF scientists parenting twins, there’s strength in numbers

Dr. Griffin in the Media

VA boosts OMRF research with $1.3 million
MuskogeePhoenix.com

OMRF researchers get $1.3 million to study age-related diseases
Oklahoman.com

VA gives OMRF $1.3 million to study age-related diseases
Newspapers2day.com

OMRF receives $1.3 million in VA funding
JournalRecord.com

Scientists use old method to study arthritis
MuskogeePhoenix.com

Scientists break new ground with old technique for possible arthritis answers
Oklahoman.com

Scientists use old technique to break new ground in arthritis research
OKNursingTimes.com

Searching for new arthritis treatments
SeniorNewsandLiving.com

Oklahoma researchers study arthritis
MuskogeePhoenix.com

Oklahoma researchers study arthritis
TahlequahDailyPress.com

Dietary carbohydrates could lead to osteoarthritis, new study finds
NewsOk.com

Dietary carbohydrates study reported
JournalRecord.com

Dietary carbohydrates linked to increased OA
News-Medical.net

Research by Oklahoma scientists could lead to new obesity drug
KGOU.com

Oklahoma scientists discover new approach to treating obesity
KFOR.com

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