The role of cartilage specific miRNA in osteoarthritis pathogenesis

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent age-related joint disease, is characterized by degradation in joint cartilage. Molecular mechanisms that govern the development and maintenance of cartilage are currently being characterized and this has the potential to lead to new therapies. Small, non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) are new negative regulators of gene expression and have been associated with disease such as cancer and heart disease, as well as arthritis; however, their role in cartilage maintenance and repair is largely uncharacterized.

In Dr. Miyaki’s research, miRNAs are novel regulators of cartilage growth and development. Changes in miRNA expression and function play an important role in OA pathogenesis.

The proposed studies have the potential to reveal important new regulatory pathways that control cartilage growth and open new insight to OA mechanisms. Dr. Miyaki will try to identify novel tools and targets for arthritis using this strategy.