Found! Molecule to Help With OA

Scientists in the UK have found a naturally occurring molecule in the body which may have important consequences for treating osteoarthritis (OA). Researchers from The University of Manchester and the University of Westminster have found that a molecule known as Urocortin protects cells in the joints from being destroyed. The study has been published in the journal Cell Death and Disease.

In the July 11, 2013 news release, Professor Paul Townsend, joint lead researcher along with Dr. Ian Locke of the University of Westminster, said, “In osteoarthritis many different programmed cell-death chemicals are produced which cause chondrocytes to die. Our research shows that the naturally occurring molecule, Urocortin, produced by the body is essential for these chondrocyte cells to survive.”

Dr. Locke, director of Postgraduate Studies at the School of Life Sciences at the University of Westminster, said, “We now need to look in more detail at how Urocortin helps cells to survive in order to develop new medicines to prevent joint degradation. Discovering a role for this naturally occurring molecule in joint physiology opens up exciting new avenues of research towards the cause, prevention and, eventually, treatment of OA.”

The researchers found that removing Urocortin caused large numbers of the chondrocyte cells to die. However adding it protected chondrocyte cells from programmed cell-death induced by chemicals present in osteoarthritic cartilage.

Professor Townsend told OTW, “We were most surprised to learn that a naturally occurring molecule from the body has the ability to both protect and treat signs of osteoarthritis. This is akin to the interesting recent observations concerning tamoxifen being able to treat and protect from many women with breast cancer.”

“We need to investigate further how the details of Urocortin work in a number of experimental models, especially in humans. We’ve started this work and are incredibly encouraged by the results so far.”