Cartilage specific deletion of chemokine receptor 2 has a temporal action on joint damage during injury induced osteoarthritis

Abstract

Purpose: Increased expression of chemokines in cartilage, synovial membrane and subchondral bone are believed to be linked to osteoarthritis (OA). CCR2 has been recognized as an important potential target in OA: CCR2, its ligands CCL12 (a.k.a. MCP-5) and CCL2 (a.k.a. MCP-1, the major human circulating ligand), are significantly increased in both rodent models of OA and in humans with OA. In addition, they have been shown to mediate OA pain. In previous clinical studies, we determined that CCL2 serum levels at baseline were significantly associated with radiographic knee OA progression and joint space narrowing at 5-year follow up.