Ewha Womans University Uncovers Clues for Prevention and Treatment of Degenerative Arthritis

Professor Lee Sooyoung, Department of Life Sciences (Provided by Ewha Womans University)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Ewha Womans University announced on the 31st that the research team led by Professor Su-Young Lee from the Department of Life Sciences identified the cell surface receptor responsible for the onset of degenerative arthritis in joint cartilage. This discovery is expected to accelerate the development of prevention and treatment methods for degenerative arthritis.

Professor Su-Young Lee (corresponding author), Dr. Doo-Ri Park (first author), Hyun-Bo Shim, and Professor Wan-Kyu Kim (co-researchers), in collaboration with Professors Min-Chan Park and Han-Sung Kim from Yonsei University, successfully presented scientific evidence to overcome degenerative arthritis through the world-renowned journal Nature Communications.

The research team discovered through experiments using genetically modified mice that a specific immunoglobulin receptor on the surface of joint cells promotes the progression of degenerative arthritis. Compared to normal cartilage, the expression of this immunoglobulin receptor increases in degenerative cartilage, transmitting signals that induce chondrocyte apoptosis. They revealed that activation of the signaling system inducing cell death in joint cells, as well as the expression of various enzymes that degrade the cartilage matrix, leads to the destruction of cartilage tissue.

Furthermore, the team established a system capable of mass-producing human-derived OSCAR receptors by utilizing a technology that connects the extracellular portion of the OSCAR receptor to a specific part of an antibody for expression. This protein preparation was proven to effectively inhibit the progression of degenerative arthritis in a mouse arthritis model.

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