Title:Recombinant Human Regenerating Gene 4 Attenuates the Severity of
Osteoarthritis by Promoting the Proliferation of Articular Chondrocyte
in an Animal Model
Volume: 15
Author(s): Xue-jia Li, Fei Zhu, Bo Li, Dong Zhang*Cheng-Wei Liang*
Affiliation:
- Department of Orthopaedics, Yueyang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopaedics, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University,
Shanghai, China
Keywords:
Osteoarthritis, chondrocytes, regenerating gene 4, animal model, rats, apoptosis.
Abstract:
Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a dominant cause of morbidity and disability. As a
chronic disease, its etiological risk factors and most therapies at present, are empirical and symptomatic.
Regenerating gene 4 (Reg4) is involved in cell growth, survival, regeneration, adhesion, and
resistance to apoptosis, which are partially thought to be the pathogenic mechanisms of OA. However,
the proper role of Reg4 in OA is still unknown.
Methods: In this study, a consecutive administration of rhReg4 was applied to normal Sprague-
Dawley rats or rats after OA induction. Histological changes and chondrocyte proliferation in the
articular cartilage were measured.
Results: We found that RhReg4 promotes chondrocyte proliferation in normal rats, and RhReg4 attenuated
the severity of OA in rats by promoting chondrocytes’ proliferation in OA rats.
Conclusion: In conclusion, recombinant human regenerating gene 4 (rhReg4) attenuates the severity
of osteoarthritis in OA animal models and may be used as a new method for the treatment of osteoarthritis.