ENHANCED CARTILAGE REPAIR AND REDUCED PERIFOCAL OSTEOARTHRITIS IN SHEEP OSTEOCHONDRAL DEFECTS UPON LONG-TERM OVEREXPRESSION OF SOX9 VIA RAAV GENE TRANSFER

Abstract

Purpose: Focal cartilage defects do not heal spontaneously and may lead to osteoarthritis (OA) if left untreated. Overexpression of the cartilage-specific transcription factor SOX9 via gene transfer using the clinical adapted recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors may offer treatments to improve the healing process in cartilage lesions and counteract the development of perifocal OA in the adjacent cartilage. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the delivery of an rAAV SOX9 vector improves the repair of osteochondral defects in sheep and inhibits the onset of perifocal OA over time.