title: Application of co-expressed genes to articular cartilage: new hope for the treatment of osteoarthritis (review).
abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA), with a high prevalence and economic impact, is a progressive             diarthrodial joint disease that substantially reduces quality of life and is mainly             characterized by degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the loss of             a chondrogenic phenotype in articular cartilage. Strategic targeting of therapeutic             genes to OA cartilage may offer potent alternatives for restoring the structure             of the damaged cartilage. α2-macroglobulin (α2M), a member of the α2M family of             proteins, prevents the degradation of the ECM by inhibiting the activity of a             disintegrin-metalloproteinases with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs) and matrix             metalloproteinases (MMPs). Sox9, a key chondrogenic transcription factor, plays             a crucial role in the development and maintenance of the chondrogenic phenotype.             Therefore, modulation of the OA cartilage by genetically modifying the levels             of α2M and Sox9 expression may be advantageous in ameliorating the course of OA.             To acquire long-lasting expression of the α2M and Sox9 genes, gene transfer systems             are required. The chitosan vector system is expected to be useful for direct gene             therapy for joint disease. Thus, we conclude that co-expression of the α2M and             Sox9 genes, combined with chitosan‑mediated gene delivery, will offer potential             as a novel means by which to treat OA via intra-articular injection.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases with Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, PR China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Jiong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Peiyi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yiyong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D064236:Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism*; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D064235:Matrilin Proteins; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D010641:Phenotype; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D064236:Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D064235:Matrilin Proteins; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; C577553:TSP5 protein, human; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases