TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITOR ALW-II-41-27 ATTENUATES OSTEOPHYTOSIS AND SYNOVITIS IN MICE

Abstract

Purpose: Osteophytes and synovitis are highly prevalent in osteoarthritis (OA) and are associated with pain and disease progression. Therefore, a drug that simultaneously inhibits hypertrophy and inflammation has the potential to reduce both formation of osteophytosis and alleviate synovitis. Osteophytes originate from a cartilage outgrowth that undergoes hypertrophic differentiation followed by ossification. Previously, we have identified an increased expression of Ephrin receptor A2 (EphA2), a tyrosine kinase associated with inflammation, in osteoarthritic cartilage and in hypertrophic cartilage of the growth plate.