Blocking Aging Protein 15-PGDH Triggers Cartilage Regeneration in Mice and Human Tissue

A protein linked to aging may hold the key to reversing arthritis and regrowing cartilage—offering a potential alternative to joint replacement surgeries.

Scientists at Stanford Medicine discovered a treatment that reversed cartilage loss in aging mice and prevented arthritis after knee injuries by blocking the aging-linked protein 15-PGDH.

Human cartilage samples from knee replacement surgeries showed regeneration when exposed to the treatment. The therapy involves an injection or oral drug; a Phase 1 clinical trial for age-related muscle weakness (same compound) is already underway.

Dr. Helen Blau said:

"This is a new way of regenerating adult tissue, and it has significant clinical promise for treating arthritis due to aging or injury."

Dr. Nidhi Bhutani said:

"The effect was remarkable."

The study found that 15-PGDH levels double with age in mice, contributing to cartilage degradation. Treated mice showed thickened hyaline cartilage (the type damaged in osteoarthritis), not fibrocartilage. Human cartilage samples showed reduced 15-PGDH activity and early signs of regeneration within one week.

The treatment works by reprogramming existing chondrocytes (cartilage cells) to adopt a youthful gene expression profile, without relying on stem cells. No independent expert commentary was included in the source.

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