Scientists have discovered that elevated levels of the protein c-Fos are associated with osteoarthritis seriousness, offering new insights into prospective targeted treatments. Osteoarthritis, an incapacitating joint illness impacting over 500 million globally, may be significantly influenced by this protein.
Improvements in comprehending the illness might bring about a paradigm shift.
For a long period of time, osteoarthritis was thought to come from wear and tear in our later years. Current research increasingly connects the breakdown of cartilage to inflammatory and metabolic activities within the joint. A development in comprehending this condition has been made by a team of researchers spearheaded by MedUni Vienna. Their findings, using a new point of view for medical diagnosis and treatment, were recently released in the journal Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.
The research study was led by molecular geneticist Erwin Wagner from the Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Department of Dermatology at MedUni Vienna. Teaming up with peers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, they focused on a protein called c-Fos. This protein has actually long been under the clinical lens for its association with bone and cartilage conditions.
As the current research also revealed, cartilage samples from people and mice with osteoarthritis (OA) have raised levels of c-Fos. The protein is produced by cartilage cells in action to OA signals and plays a role in protecting cartilage.
As part of their study, the research group has actually now found that c-Fos levels are connected to the severity of the course of OA. For example, analyses of animal models revealed that the lack of the protein in cartilage triggered severe forms of joint disease.
Consequently, the researchers figured out the system in the metabolism of cartilage cells that controls the production and build-up of c-Fos. “Our findings are an important step towards the development of targeted treatments in the form of drugs based upon the recently found control system of c-Fos expression in cartilage cells,” says research study leader Erwin Wagner, highlighting the high relevance of the research work.
More than 500 million individuals are impacted worldwide
osteoarthritis is the most typical degenerative joint disease that can occur in different joints. According to quotes by the World Health Organization (WHO), the knees are affected in more than 300 million people worldwide, and the hips in around 240 million. Due to increasing danger elements such as obesity or aging of the population, the prevalence is anticipated to continue to increase.
The illness is associated with terrific discomfort, enormously hinders the lifestyle of those impacted, and can likewise lead to disability due to the loss of joint function. Currently, healing procedures are generally aimed at relieving pain, maintaining joint function and mobility as much as possible, and minimizing inflammation. The new insights now acquired into the development and progression of OA could cause a paradigm shift in the therapy of persistent joint illness and need to be validated by further research study.
Reference: “Metabolic rewiring controlled by c-Fos governs cartilage integrity in osteoarthritis” by Kazuhiko Matsuoka, Latifa Bakiri, Martin Bilban, Stefan Toegel, Arvand Haschemi, Hao Yuan, Maria Kasper, Reinhard Windhager and Erwin F Wagner, 11 August 2023, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.DOI: 10.1136/ ard-2023-224002.
For a long time, osteoarthritis was believed to stem from wear and tear in our later years. Recent research progressively connects the breakdown of cartilage to metabolic and inflammatory activities within the joint. The illness is associated with fantastic pain, massively impairs the quality of life of those affected, and can also lead to special needs due to the loss of joint function. The new insights now acquired into the advancement and development of OA could bring about a paradigm shift in the therapy of chronic joint illness and must be confirmed by additional research study.