2023-10-13 18:00:19
An international group of researchers demonstrates for the first time that a treatment with lentivirus injected intra-articularly in adult laboratory mice, whose cartilage is damaged, activates the expression of the Sox5 protein, capable of reversing osteoarthritis.
The cure for osteoarthritis, getting closer
In this work, published on October 12, 2023 in the prestigious research journal Cell Stem Cell, an analysis method called CRISPR activation analysis, also known as CRISPRa (CRISPR activation), has been used.
CRSPRa is a technique used to increase the expression of specific genes in a cell, making it a valuable tool in biological and medical research.
Furthermore, during research the same result has been demonstrated in mice with induced osteoarthritis.
The authors, among whom are two Spaniards, Dr. Pedro Guillén García and Dr. Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, have used the CRISPRa technique in cells called hMPC or human mesenchymal precursor cells of progeroid syndrome (premature aging).
Joint osteoarthritis due to cartilage damage
The research teams have verified that the overexpression of Sox5, in turn, favors the expression of various geroprotective genes; which makes the Sox5 protein a key target for a possible therapy against aging-related diseases, such as osteoarthritis.
These results demonstrated that forced expression of Sox5 can achieve rejuvenation and restoration of articular cartilage functionality, without obvious changes in cell identity.
“The beneficial effects for cartilage that were obtained are comparable to those achieved through the use of OSKM factors or Yamanaka reprogramming factors,” highlights Dr. Pedro Guillén, .
“The use of lentiviruses (whose incubation period is very long), which induce the expression of this Sox5 protein, is capable of alleviating the effects of osteoarthritis without altering the cells,” emphasizes the head traumatologist at the CEMTRO Clinic in Madrid.
This discovery opens the door to the development of a treatment for one of the most prevalent and disabling diseases globally, such as arthrosis.
In this study, in addition to Dr. Guillén and Dr. Izpisúa (professors at Hospital Clínica CEMTRO, Altos Labs and UCAM), scientists from the Salk Institute of California, Altos Labs and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have participated.
Likewise, both the “Pedro Guillén Foundation” and Inventium, which participates in another 150 projects, have collaborated in financing this international research.
#cure #osteoarthritis #closer