Osteoarthritis: new light shed on how painful joint wear and tear develops
Source: Science Daily
The cause of osteoarthritis — other than known risk factors such as age or earlier injury — is not yet known. The researchers at the MedUni Vienna have discovered, however, that certain proteins known as lectins, and in particular galectins, have a role to play in the painful wear and tear of the joints.
These new findings, according to the vision of the MedUni Vienna researchers, could lead to galectins in future being used both in the treatment and, as bio-markers, in the disease prediction of osteoarthritis.