NIH Reporter #5R01AR085047-02

Degradomics of proteolytic mechanisms in post-traumatic osteoarthritis

This award funds research to understand the proteolytic mechanisms in post-traumatic osteoarthritis by analyzing joint fluid to identify biomarkers and protease drug targets, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Description

Patients with severe joint injuries are at higher risk for osteoarthritis (OA), in which joint cartilage breakdown occurs not from mechanical wear and tear but by the action of enzymes called proteases, which digest its molecular components. A better understanding of cartilage and other joint tissue proteolysis will identify early OA biomarkers and identify specific proteases as drug targets. The project aims to analyze joint fluid from patients and horses with previous injuries to identify which joint molecules are cleaved, which proteases are involved, and how joint breakdown progresses over time. This will facilitate the development of better clinical technology and treatments for OA.

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