A New Study Reveals What Really Causes Osteoarthritis to Develop in the First Place?
Osteoarthritis holds the dubious distinction of being the most prevalent degenerative joint disorder, capable of impacting various joints. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 300 million people across the globe suffer from osteoarthritis in the knees, while about 240 million experience it in the hips.
As risk factors such as aging and obesity continue to rise, so too is the prevalence of this disease expected to increase. It is a condition often accompanied by significant pain, profoundly impacting the quality of life for those afflicted and potentially leading to disability due to loss of joint function.
One might often associate osteoarthritis with the elderly, but research indicates that the decline in bone health can set in as early as the age of 35. It’s not uncommon for individuals who feel young to be taken aback when diagnosed with this condition.
Osteoarthritis primarily manifests as pain and rigidity in the joints. Additional symptoms include difficulty in moving the affected joints, swelling, tenderness, and an audible grating sound during movement.
The intensity of these symptoms can differ significantly among individuals and even between different joints within the same person. While some experience sporadic, mild symptoms, others face debilitating discomfort that hampers their ability to engage in daily activities.
It is crucial to seek a definitive diagnosis if you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms. Consulting a general practitioner is a good starting point for obtaining a diagnosis and advice on managing pain.
But what causes this joint disease to develop in the first place?
Traditionally, osteoarthritis has been attributed to the natural wear and tear that comes with aging. However, recent research suggests a connection between the degeneration of joint cartilage and certain inflammatory and metabolic activities within the joint.
A groundbreaking study conducted by a team spearheaded by the Medical University of Vienna has shed light on the underlying mechanisms of the disease. This study, published in the prestigious Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, could pave the way for novel diagnostic and treatment approaches.
Under the guidance of molecular geneticist Erwin Wagner (affiliated with the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Department of Dermatology at Medical University of Vienna), and in collaboration with peers at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, the team honed in on a protein called c-Fos, which has been under the microscope for its potential role in bone and cartilage diseases.
The study revealed that both human and mouse cartilage samples from individuals with osteoarthritis exhibited elevated c-Fos levels. It appears that cartilage cells secrete this protein in response to osteoarthritis triggers, and it may serve a protective role for cartilage.
In a notable discovery, the researchers found that the levels of c-Fos correlate with the severity of osteoarthritis progression. Analysis using animal models showed that the lack of c-Fos in cartilage resulted in severe joint disease.
The scientists further unraveled the metabolic processes in cartilage cells that regulate the production and build-up of c-Fos.
Study leader Erwin Wagner emphasized the significance of these discoveries, stating, “Our findings are an important step towards the development of targeted therapies in the form of drugs based on the newly discovered control mechanism of c-Fos expression in cartilage cells.”
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