Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2012 | Poster presentation
Pathogenic protease expression in murine OA is critically dependent upon mechanical joint loading
Authors:
Annika Burleigh, Anastasios Chanalaris, Jeremy Saklatvala, Tonia Vincent
Published in:
Arthritis Research & Therapy
|
Special Issue 1/2012
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Excerpt
Once considered a passive disease of 'wear and tear' of the joint, osteoarthritis (OA) is now known to be driven by the expression and activation of specific proteases that degrade the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage. Such proteases include aggrecanases, principally adistintegrin and metalloproteinase (Adamts) 4 and 5, and collagenases which are members of the matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp) family. In mice, Adamts5 and Mmp13 are considered to be the critical proteases in disease, as mice in which these proteases have been knocked out are protected from developing OA [
1,
2]. What drives these proteases in vivo is unknown, but one possibility is that mechanical factors alone are sufficient to lead to their expression and activation. …
