New Delhi: In a major breakthrough that could transform the treatment of osteoarthritis, researchers at Stanford University have identified a protein that plays a key role in age-related cartilage loss and joint degeneration. The findings suggest that inhibiting this protein may help regenerate damaged cartilage, offering new hope to millions suffering from joint pain and stiffness.
The study, conducted on mice, focused on a protein known as 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). Researchers found that levels of this protein rise with age, interfering with the body’s ability to repair tissue and regulate inflammation—two critical processes involved in maintaining healthy joints.
Blocking 15-PGDH Reverses Joint Damage in Mice
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage—the protective tissue that cushions joints—gradually breaks down, leading to pain, swelling and reduced mobility. Current treatments largely manage symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause.
In the Stanford study, scientists treated older mice with damaged knee cartilage using a 15-PGDH inhibitor. Remarkably, the treatment led to significant cartilage thickening, effectively reversing age-related cartilage loss. In younger mice with joint injuries, the same inhibitor prevented the typical progression toward osteoarthritis.
Cartilage Regeneration Without Stem Cells
One of the most striking findings was that cartilage repair occurred without the use of stem cell therapy. Instead, blocking 15-PGDH activated the body’s own chondrocytes—cells responsible for producing and maintaining cartilage.
“This is a new way of regenerating adult tissue, and it has significant clinical promise for treating arthritis due to aging or injury,” said Helen Blau, professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University. “We were looking for stem cells, but they are clearly not involved. It’s very exciting.”
Blau, who directs Stanford’s Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, and Nidhi Bhutani, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery, are the senior authors of the study, which was published online in the journal Science on November 27.
A Potential Game-Changer for Osteoarthritis Treatment
Bhutani highlighted the significance of the discovery, noting that no existing drug directly addresses cartilage loss itself.
“Millions of people suffer from joint pain and swelling as they age,” she said. “It is a huge unmet medical need. Until now, there has been no drug that directly treats the cause of cartilage loss. But this gerozyme inhibitor causes a dramatic regeneration of cartilage beyond that reported in response to any other drug or intervention.”
What Comes Next
While the findings are still at an early, preclinical stage, researchers are optimistic that targeting 15-PGDH could eventually lead to new therapies for humans, potentially restoring mobility and reducing pain in aging populations and arthritis patients.
Further studies will be required to confirm the safety and effectiveness of this approach in people, but experts say the discovery marks a significant step toward disease-modifying treatments for osteoarthritis.