Increased methylation status of SOX9 gene promoter in human osteoarthritic cartilage

Abstract

s / Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 20 (2012) S10–S53 S41 Results: FGF9 had significant beneficial effects on multiple parameters used to assess cartilage damage. FGF9 treatment reduced the cartilage degeneration score for the outer region of the medial tibial plateau by 33% (p 1⁄4 0.004), the width of significant cartilage damage by 38% (p 1⁄4 0.018), and the depth of cartilage lesions by 20-44% (p 1⁄4 0.003). Image analysis showed that FGF9 increased the total cartilage area by 24% (p< 0.001) and the viable cartilage area by 35% (p < 0.001). Proteoglycan loss was reduced by 43% (p 1⁄4 0.003) and the area that showed minimal damage to the collagenwas increased two-fold. FGF9 had no significant effect on the subchondral bone but increased the size of the chondrophytes/osteophytes by 29% (p 1⁄4 0.001). Conclusions: The local delivery of FGF9 in an OA model provided significant beneficial effect on the damaged cartilage. Our data indicates that FGF9 may be a disease-modifying drug candidate for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Conclusions: The local delivery of FGF9 in an OA model provided significant beneficial effect on the damaged cartilage. Our data indicates that FGF9 may be a disease-modifying drug candidate for the treatment of osteoarthritis.