Molecule enhances cartilage regeneration and decreases inflammation – new discovery

A small molecule could make a big difference for people with arthritis, says exciting new research in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.

Called Regulator of Cartilage Growth and Differentiation (RCGD 423), the molecule enhances regeneration and curbs inflammation. When RCGD 423 was applied to joint cartilage cells in the laboratory, the cells proliferated more and died less, and when injected into the knees of rats with damaged cartilage, the animals could more effectively heal their injuries.

“The goal is to make an injectable therapy for an early to moderate level of arthritis,” says Dr Evseenko, who is involved in the work. “It’s not going to cure arthritis, but it will delay the progression of arthritis to the damaging stages when patients need joint replacements…”

The next step is a clinical trial to test RCGD 423 or a similar molecule as a treatment for osteoarthritis or juvenile arthritis.

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