🦴 Osteoarthritis treated by a simple injection?

A protein naturally present in our joints could prove to be an ally against osteoarthritis. South Korean researchers have indeed discovered that high levels of this protein, named SHP, protect cartilage, while its decrease accelerates joint deterioration.

Currently, osteoarthritis affects millions of people, and common treatments are often limited to pain relief. But a team from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) has highlighted a new natural protection mechanism that could change the game.


Analysis of cartilage from patients with osteoarthritis revealed that the SHP protein is much less present in damaged joints. Experiments on mice confirmed that those lacking SHP develop more intense pain and faster cartilage degradation.

The protective role of SHP involves the inhibition of two enzymes, MMP-3 and MMP-13, which destroy cartilage. By controlling the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway, SHP prevents these enzymes from causing harm, thus preserving tissue structure.

Gene therapy has made it possible to restore the SHP protein in the joints of already affected mice. A single injection reduced cartilage damage and alleviated pain, paving the way for a potentially long-lasting treatment.

This discovery indicates that increasing SHP levels could slow down, or even stop, the progression of osteoarthritis. The researchers now plan to study whether this approach can be translated to humans, offering an alternative to simple painkillers.