Leuven researchers identify protein causing joint damage in osteoarthritis patients

Researchers from KU Leuven have identified a protein that plays a crucial role in the joint damage suffered by osteoarthritis patients. Their findings, published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, open new perspectives for better treatments.

Osteoarthritis affects more than 500 million people worldwide and is a major cause of chronic pain and loss of mobility. The disease is characterised by the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Researchers from the Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Centre at KU Leuven examined which proteins contribute to this breakdown.

They discovered that increased levels of the protein IGF1 in cartilage cells accelerate joint damage.

"This could have a huge impact on how we approach this disease"

“This finding was unexpected, because IGF1 is usually associated with repair processes,” said professor of rheumatology Rik Lories. “This highlights how complex the mechanisms behind osteoarthritis are, and opens a new avenue for research into new treatments that not only fight the symptoms but address the cause.”

By removing IGF1 in mouse models, the researchers were able to significantly reduce cartilage damage. This provides a promising starting point for new therapies.

“A treatment that affects the IGF1 axis could therefore slow down or even stop the progression of osteoarthritis,” said research professor Silvia Monteagudo. “This could have a huge impact on how we approach this disease.”

The KU Leuven team is now working on the development of IGF1 inhibitors to further translate the findings into preclinical studies. Although more testing is needed, the results suggest that blocking the protein could help patients maintain their joint health, and potentially avoid joint replacement surgery.

^{#FlandersNewsService | X-ray of a hip with osteoarthritis © PHOTO UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP}