Synovial Fibroblast Gene Expression in Response to Fibronectin Fragment
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disease characterized by the progressive degradation of articular cartilage, hypertrophy of neighboring bone, and varying degrees of synovial inflammation. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of synovial fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of OA, particularly their inflammatory properties that disrupt cartilage homeostasis. Notably, degraded cartilage matrix components, such as fibronectin fragments (FN-f), have been identified in the synovial fluid of OA patients, suggesting that FN-f signaling influences the synovium where synovial fibroblasts reside. Despite affecting over 500 million individuals globally, our limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms of OA has significantly impeded the development of effective treatment... (for more see dbGaP study page.)