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Which elements are involved in reversible and irreversible cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis?

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Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the entire joint. Different treatment strategies for OA have been proposed and tested clinically without the desired efficacy. One reason for the scarcity of current chondroprotective agents may be the insufficient understanding of the patho-physiology of the joint and whether the joint damage is reversible or irreversible. In this review, we compile emerging data on cellular and pathological aspects of OA, and ask whether these data could give clue to when cartilage degradation is reversible and whether a point-of-no-return exists. We highlight different stages of OA, and speculate whether different intervention strategies (e.g. DMOAD vs. SMOADs) may only be efficacious at distinct stages of OA.

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Abbreviations

ADAMTS:

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs

BMP:

Bone morphogenetic protein

CTX:

C-terminal telopeptide fragments

DMOAD:

Disease modifying OA drug

ECM:

Extracellular matrix

FGF:

Fibroblast growth factor

IGF-1:

Insulin growth factor

JSW:

Joint space width

MMP:

Matrix metalloproteinases

OA:

Osteoarthritis

OPG:

Osteoprotegerin

PTH:

Parathyroid hormone

RA:

Rheumatoid arthritis

RANKL:

Receptor activator for nuclear factor κ B ligand

SMOAD:

Structure modifying OA drug

TGF:

Tissue growth factor

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank our colleagues at Nordic Bioscience for their participation in inspirational discussions. We would also like to thank several of our fellow scientist, which we have continues discussion with at meetings and seminars.

Conflict of interest

The authors are not aware of any conflict of interest pertaining to this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev Hovedgade 207, 2730, Herlev, Denmark

    Anne-Christine Bay-Jensen, Suzi Hoegh-Madsen, Erik Dam, Kim Henriksen, Bodil Cecillie Sondergaard, Per Qvist & Morten A. Karsdal

  2. Institut de Recherches Servier, 11 rue des Moulineaux, 92150, Suresnes, France

    Philippe Pastoureau

Authors
  1. Anne-Christine Bay-Jensen
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  2. Suzi Hoegh-Madsen
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  3. Erik Dam
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  4. Kim Henriksen
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  5. Bodil Cecillie Sondergaard
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  6. Philippe Pastoureau
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  7. Per Qvist
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  8. Morten A. Karsdal
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Correspondence to Anne-Christine Bay-Jensen.

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Bay-Jensen, AC., Hoegh-Madsen, S., Dam, E. et al. Which elements are involved in reversible and irreversible cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis?. Rheumatol Int 30, 435–442 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1183-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1183-1

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