Extracellular matrix protection factor 1 (ECPF-1), a novel osteoarthritis therapeutic demonstrates chondroprotective properties in a rat model of osteoarthritis; a microcomputed tomography and histological analysis
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
10-5-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
13-5-2021 12:00 AM
Description
Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease of multifactorial etiology causing pain and disability in more than 25% of the adult population. Despite affecting a vast amount of the population, there is currently no therapy available that successfully suspends or reverses the deterioration of cartilage and bone occurring in OA.
Objectives: Current pharmacological treatment of OA targets inflammation and pain management through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular corticosteroids, and analgesics. Extracellular Matrix Protection Factor 1 (ECPF-1) is a novel therapeutic that inhibits specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that are involved in degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in cartilage during OA.
Methods: In this study, a chemically-induced rat model of OA in the knee joint was utilized to investigate the effects of ECPF-1 at various concentrations in early stage osteoarthritis. The progression of post-traumatic OA in this study was assessed using microcomputed tomography (µCT) and histological analysis via Hematoxylin and Eosin, Safranin-O, and Periodic acid–Schiff staining. The acute effects of OA progression were studied on a timeline of 4 and 8 weeks.
Results: The µCT data showed that at both the 4-week post-loading (4 weekly injections of ECPF-1) and 8-week protection-extension phases, the ECPF-1 treated cohort demonstrated decreased ECM degradation compared to untreated controls. Improved articular cartilage histological staining of the ECPF-1 treated joints supported the µCT image data for the femur and tibia.
Discussion: These results show that ECPF-1 could be utilized in chondroprotection against alteration of ECM metabolism involved in OA. This study shows a potential for ECPF-1 as a possible therapeutic for slowing the progression of OA in an acute setting.
Embargo Period
6-9-2021
Extracellular matrix protection factor 1 (ECPF-1), a novel osteoarthritis therapeutic demonstrates chondroprotective properties in a rat model of osteoarthritis; a microcomputed tomography and histological analysis
Philadelphia, PA
Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease of multifactorial etiology causing pain and disability in more than 25% of the adult population. Despite affecting a vast amount of the population, there is currently no therapy available that successfully suspends or reverses the deterioration of cartilage and bone occurring in OA.
Objectives: Current pharmacological treatment of OA targets inflammation and pain management through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular corticosteroids, and analgesics. Extracellular Matrix Protection Factor 1 (ECPF-1) is a novel therapeutic that inhibits specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that are involved in degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in cartilage during OA.
Methods: In this study, a chemically-induced rat model of OA in the knee joint was utilized to investigate the effects of ECPF-1 at various concentrations in early stage osteoarthritis. The progression of post-traumatic OA in this study was assessed using microcomputed tomography (µCT) and histological analysis via Hematoxylin and Eosin, Safranin-O, and Periodic acid–Schiff staining. The acute effects of OA progression were studied on a timeline of 4 and 8 weeks.
Results: The µCT data showed that at both the 4-week post-loading (4 weekly injections of ECPF-1) and 8-week protection-extension phases, the ECPF-1 treated cohort demonstrated decreased ECM degradation compared to untreated controls. Improved articular cartilage histological staining of the ECPF-1 treated joints supported the µCT image data for the femur and tibia.
Discussion: These results show that ECPF-1 could be utilized in chondroprotection against alteration of ECM metabolism involved in OA. This study shows a potential for ECPF-1 as a possible therapeutic for slowing the progression of OA in an acute setting.
Comments
Winner of 2021 Research Week David Miller, DO ’60 Endowed Memorial Research Day Masters in Biomedical Science Award