Unmet Need:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 32.5 million adults in the United States, with an increasing incidence as the population ages (see CDC) . OA is associated with considerable morbidity as a consequence of joint damage, resulting in pain, loss of joint range of motion, and disability. The disease is marked by considerable articular cartilage damage. Due to the low mitotic activity of the cells and the avascularity of the tissue, cartilage does not effectively self-repair. Treatment for OA remains largely related to pain relief, with additional use of injectable viscosupplements and corticosteroids, which may provide transient periods of improvement, but do not inhibit joint damage. Surgical interventions with joint replacements, while ultimately curative of OA are associated with morbidity and considerable cost. There is thus a considerable need to develop new tissue-engineering strategies that may help to both induce tissue regeneration in a diseased joint environment, while decreasing joint inflammation and pain.

Technology Overview:

Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a butanoylated GlcNAc derivative, 3,4,6-O-Bu3GlcNAc, that has the potential to stimulate new tissue production and reduce inflammation in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes with utility for OA and other forms of inflammatory arthritis.

Stage of Development:

Experimental data is available.

Publication:

Coburn et al. Short-chain fatty acid-modified hexosamine for tissue-engineering osteoarthritic cartilage. Tissue Eng Part A. 2013 Sep;19(17-18):2035-44