Stanford scientists regrow cartilage in aging joints by blocking an aging protein
Stanford scientists found a way to regrow cartilage and stop arthritis
Stanford researchers blocked the protein 15-PGDH in older mice, reversing natural cartilage loss and preventing arthritis after ACL-like knee injuries. Human cartilage from knee replacements also began producing new, functional tissue. If it works in people, the approach could lead to an oral drug or injection that regenerates cartilage and reduces the need for joint replacement.
This is a new way of regenerating adult tissue, and it has significant clinical promise for treating arthritis due to aging or injury. We were looking for stem cells, but they are clearly not involved. It's very exciting.