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In osteoarthritis (OA), chondrocytes are deficient in either number or function: Replacing degraded joint cartilage matrix is inadequate. Studies have shown that adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are found in damaged cartilage, can develop into chondrocytes, but researchers had not found ways to encourage that transformation. As a result, the only two therapies for patients with symptomatic OA are analgesics and joint surgery.
U.S. investigators now report the discovery of kartogenin, a small molecule that promotes differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes in vitro. The team also identified the biochemical pathway by which kartogenin works and tested intra-articular administration of kartogenin in two mouse models of OA. In such mic…