KRIBB Identifies Role of SHP Protein in Inhibiting Cartilage Degradation

The mechanism by which the 'SHP (NR0B2)' protein inhibits the production of cartilage-degrading enzymes and thereby prevents the progression of degenerative arthritis has been identified. Degenerative arthritis is a representative joint disease in which the cartilage that protects the space between bones within a joint wears away and disappears. To date, treatment has only been able to reduce pain, failing to fundamentally stop the loss of cartilage. In this context, clarifying the role of the SHP protein is significant, as it opens up the possibility of developing treatments for degenerative arthritis that can alleviate cartilage damage and pain in the future.

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The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology announced on March 18 that the research team of Dr. Cheolho Lee and Dr. Yonghoon Kim at the Experimental Animal Resource Center, National Bio-Infra Center, has discovered, through joint research with Professor Jinhyun Kim’s team at Chungnam National University Hospital, that the SHP protein acts as a "shield" protecting cartilage from degenerative arthritis.

The joint research team conducted their study by analyzing the cartilage tissue of patients with advanced degenerative arthritis and laboratory mice.

During this process, they confirmed that the amount of SHP protein sharply decreases as degenerative arthritis progresses. This reduction in SHP, a core component that protects cartilage, accelerates joint destruction.

Additionally, experimental mice lacking the SHP protein experienced more severe pain and relatively faster cartilage damage compared to normal mice. Conversely, when SHP protein was supplemented to the joint, cartilage damage decreased and joint function was restored.

Based on these findings, the joint research team was the first in the world to identify the mechanism by which SHP protects the cartilage barrier by blocking the production of "scissor enzymes" (MMP-3, MMP-13) that destroy cartilage, starting from the signaling stage.

Schematic diagram of the cartilage-protective function of SHP (NR0B2) in degenerative arthritis and the mechanism of inhibiting cartilage matrix-degrading enzyme expression through regulation of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling. Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology

Notably, this study also confirmed the potential for gene therapy that provides long-lasting effects with a single injection. When a therapeutic virus carrying the SHP gene was injected into the joints, even animals with progressive arthritis experienced a halt in cartilage damage and a marked reduction in pain.

Dr. Cheolho Lee stated, "This study is the first in the world to clarify that the SHP protein plays an important role in protecting cartilage during the occurrence and progression of degenerative arthritis." He added, "If a treatment strategy utilizing SHP is developed, it could be advanced as a new therapeutic approach to delay or prevent the progression of degenerative arthritis."

This research was supported by the Mid-Career Researcher Program of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the main projects of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology. The results (paper) were published online in the international journal 'Nature Communications' on February 21.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.