The molecular mechanism responsible for causing osteoarthritis has remained largely unknown issue. However, Korean researchers from Sungkyunkwan University and Chung-Ang University revealed the discovery of molecular mechanisms underlying osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis by Activin A-ACVR2B-NOX4 axis, and their findings were published in the journal Advanced Science in 2023. 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of disability and has significantlarge socioeconomic cost. Cell surface (transmembrane) receptors and their ligands have been the primary therapeutic targets in efforts to combat OA, given their ability to transduce signals through pathogenic receptors. The researchers exclusively to this projects by the researchers Siyoung Yang and Seong-il Eyun’s research team, who have been working for over five years, have discovered and examined a novel pathogenic receptor, activin receptor IIB (ACVR2B) in relation to the pathogenesis of OA.

The researchers have characterized the ACVR2B assembly, which includes activin A, ACVR2B, ACVR1B, NOX4, and AP-1 as a key factor that accelerates developtment of osteoarthritic cartilage. Furthermore, they show that shRNA-mediated ACVR2B knockdown or interfering with the interaction between ACVR2B and activin A using ligand trapping, which competitively disrupting the ACVR2B-activin A interaction. 

Accoring to Professors. Yang and Eyun, the ACVR2B assembly is essential in amplifying osteoarthritic cartilage destruction and therefore could serve as a promising therapeutic target in treating OA".

Blockade of Activin Receptor IIB protects Arthritis Pathogenesis by Non-Amplification of Activin A-ACVR2B-NOX4 Axis Pathway

[Reference] Jeon. et al., (2023) “Blockade of Activin Receptor IIB protects Arthritis Pathogenesis by Non-Amplification of Activin A-ACVR2B-NOX4 Axis Pathway.” Advanced Science

[Main Author] Jimin Jeon (Sungkyunkwan University), Siyoung Yang (Sungkyunkwan University), Seong-il Eyun (Chung-Ang University)

* Contact email : Professor Siyoung Yang (yangsy@skku.edu)