Gene link in osteoarthritis

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A variant of a gene that is involved in cartilage production increases the risk of osteoarthritis.
It is already known that osteoarthritis is linked to erosion of the cartilage that cushions the joints. Now researchers in Japan point out a gene concerned with cartilage may affect the risk of arthritis. The gene codes for a protein called asporin which is found in high amounts in arthritis.

The team, from the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Tokyo looked at variants in the asporin gene in people with and without arthritis. They found that a specific variant of the gene was more common among those who had arthritis. Lab experiments showed that asporin is linked to a reduction in the amount of collagen available to repair wear and tear of the joints. The findings are in important step in our understanding of arthritis and might lead to new approaches to treating the disease.

Source
Nature Genetics online 2nd January 2005

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