Biomarker Discovery Paves Way for Blood Tests to Detect and Treat Osteoarthritis

The number of individuals affected by osteoarthritis is projected to exceed 1 billion by 2050. The primary risk factor for this common, often painful chronic joint condition is aging, and, like aging itself, there is currently no way to prevent it. Present treatments for osteoarthritis mainly focus on pain relief and surgical solutions. Now, a new discovery could potentially lead to significant advancements in both the detection and treatment of the disease.

Scientists at Henry Ford Health (Detroit, MI, USA) and Michigan State University Health Science (East Lansing, MI, USA) have identified a circulating microRNA known as miR-126-3p, which serves as a mechanistic biomarker for knee osteoarthritis. MiR-126-3p contributes to the reduction of blood vessel formation and lessen the severity of knee osteoarthritis, making it not only an indicator of the disease but also a potential factor in its development. Through studies involving four independent cohorts, the researchers discovered that circulating miR-126-3p levels are higher in knee osteoarthritis patients compared to controls. In six primary human knee osteoarthritis tissue samples, miR-126-3p levels were found to be the highest in subchondral bone, fat pad, and synovium, while the lowest levels were observed in cartilage.

In a surgical mouse model of knee osteoarthritis, treatment with both intravenous and intra-articular miR-126-3p mimics resulted in a reduction of disease severity in males, as published in Nature Communications. When applied to human knee osteoarthritis biospecimens, the miR-126-3p mimic treatment led to the downregulation of genes and markers associated with angiogenesis, as well as those related to osteogenesis, adipogenesis, and synovitis—biological processes that follow angiogenesis. These findings suggest that miR-126-3p is elevated in knee osteoarthritis and plays a role in mitigating the severity of the disease, supporting its potential as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target. With this new insight into miR-126-3p, scientists are now in a position to develop blood tests for diagnosing knee osteoarthritis and create treatments aimed at slowing or even halting the disease's progression.

“As we continue to advance our understanding of microRNA mechanisms, we remain hopeful that these insights will translate into tangible benefits for patients suffering from osteoarthritis,” said Jonathan Braman, M.D., Chair of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Henry Ford Health. “This breakthrough could open the door to precision medicine tailored to individual patients and ultimately fewer joint replacements due to osteoarthritis.”