Targeting cartilage epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway for osteoarthritis treatment

Abstract

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread chronic joint disease characterized by cartilage degeneration. We previously discovered that EGFR signaling is critical for maintaining the superficial layer of articular cartilage and found that mice with cartilage-specific (Col2-Cre) EGFR deficiency develop spontaneous OA. Here, we designed a two-pronged approach to investigate the effects of positively targeting the EGFR pathway on articular cartilage. First, we genetically enhanced EGFR activity by adopting a Rosa-DTR model.