Gene Therapy Could Cure Osteoarthritis by Rejuvenating Aging Cells

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage leading to pain and physical disability, where aging is considered a significant risk factor. According to a study published in Cell Reports, a protein factor called CBX4 could help treat osteoarthritis in mice.//

Senescent mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are found in cartilage tissues isolated from patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Notably, senescent MSCs have been regarded as an important therapeutic target for geroprotection against tissue degeneration.

Osteoarthritis - Causes, Symptoms, DIagnosis, Treatment, FAQs
Osteoarthritis is one of the commonest joint disorder and occurs as we age due to wear and tear of a joint. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint of the body.

‘The findings of the study offer a promising future therapeutic option for old age adults suffering from osteoarthritis.’

Tweet it Now

These scientists, from the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Peking University and the Institute of Biophysics of CAS, found that CBX4 safeguarded hMSCs against cellular senescence through the regulation of nucleolar architecture and function.

Importantly, CBX4 overexpression attenuated the development of osteoarthritis in mice, suggesting a target for therapeutic interventions against aging-associated disorders.

CBX4, a component of polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), plays an important role in the regulation of cell identity and organ development through gene silencing.

About Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Encyclopedia section of Medindia gives general info about Osteogenesis Imperfecta

CBX4 protein was downregulated in aged hMSCs whereas CBX4 knockout in hMSCs resulted in destabilized nucleolar heterochromatin, enhanced ribosome biogenesis, increased protein translation, and accelerated cellular senescence.

CBX4 maintained nucleolar homeostasis by recruiting nucleolar protein fibrillarin and heterochromatin protein KRAB-associated protein 1 (KAP1) at nucleolar rDNA, limiting the excessive expression of rRNAs.

Hip Replacement- Osteoarthritis, Post Operative Complications
Are you experiencing pain due to damaged hips? Travel abroad to get replacement surgery at affordable prices.

Importantly, overexpression of CBX4 alleviated physiological hMSC aging and attenuated the development of osteoarthritis in mice.

These findings not only highlight that CBX4-mediated nucleolar homeostasis is a key gatekeeper for hMSC aging. They also open an avenue for preventing aging-associated stem cell exhaustion and, hopefully, treating age-related disorders in the future.

Hypermobility Syndrome - Signs - Symptoms - Causes - Diagnosis - Treatment
Hypermobility Syndrome is a condition in which a person can move his joints far beyond the normal range.

Taken together, the researchers revealed a new mechanism for the nucleolar protein CBX4 in maintaining hMSC homeostasis.

These findings prove the feasibility of using gene therapy strategies to rejuvenate senescent cells and treat osteoarthritis, providing a promising option for future geriatrics and regenerative medicine.

Source-Eurekalert