Cartilage, once damaged, cannot regrow or heal on its own.<br />Now, Korean researchers have identified a protein in frogs..... that could pave the way for regenerative treatments for arthritis.<br />Park Se-young has more. <br />Cartilage cannot heal on its own, and degeneration of cartilage from a lifetime of moving can lead to arthritis.<br />Now, Korean researchers have identified a potential key to regenerative treatments for arthritis, …by understanding how frog embryos form facial cartilage.<br />In inflammatory arthritis, an enzyme destroys cartilage and causes inflammation.<br />The researchers have found a protein which protects the cartilage from such destruction and even helps with regeneration.<br /><br />"We have identified the ITGBL1 protein, and found that its expression in cartilage cells helps cartilage development and suppresses inflammatory responses."<br /><br />The researchers also found that the protein protects joint cartilage in human cells, …increasing the possibility of developing treatments.<br /><br />"The biggest problem with stem cell therapy is loss of cell identity. Since ITGBL1 has the ability to maintain the properties of cartilage cells, it's better suited for treatment."<br /><br />The researchers are continuing their work on the development of cell therapy for arthritis.<br />The study was published in the online edition of Science Translational Medicine.<br />Park Se-young, Arirang News. <br />
