Osteoarthritis

This research was completed on 13 September 2003

Project Leader	Dr Donald M Salter, MD, FRC.Path, Dr Sarah J Millward-Sadler, PhD and Dr Malcolm O Wright, FRCS, FDSRCS
Location	Department of Pathology and Department of Biomedical Science, University of Edinburgh.
Grant awarded	26 October 2000
Start date	14 April 2001
End date	13 September 2003
Grant amount	£71,925.00
Grant code	AP0850

Osteoarthritis is an active disease in which chondrocytes (the cells of cartilage) show increased and altered activity which promote cartilage breakdown. It is the most common joint disease and a major cause of pain and disability affecting more than 50% of the population above the age of 55. At present, treatments are suboptimal and the condition often progresses to considerable disability which may necessitate joint replacement. These researchers have shown that the change in chondrocyte function is due partly to the loss of a protective response against the mechanical forces in the joint. This study aims to discover why cartilage no longer protects the joint in osteoarthritis and whether it is possible to alter chondrocyte function. This work has the potential to lead to novel therapies for osteoarthritis for which currently there is no satisfactory treatment.