A research group in Houston, Texas, has developed a method for introducing the PRG4 gene into articular cartilage cells using gene therapy. The PRG4 gene causes the cartilage cells to produce the substance proteoglycan 4, which has a protective effect on the articular cartilage. A virus particle, a so-called viral vector, is used to transport the gene into the articular cartilage cells. However, in previous studies, it has been difficult to get the viral vector to bind specifically to articular cartilage cells, which has made the treatment ineffective.
In a preclinical study conducted on mice with the articular cartilage disease osteoarthritis, the viral vectors were “loaded” with Xintela’s patented antibody that binds to the cartilage cell marker integrin α10β1. These viral particles were then injected into the joints of the mice. The result was that the gene was taken up to a greater extent by the articular cartilage cells, resulting in both better treatment and prevention effects. This shows that Xintela’s marker, integrin α10β1, is an effective target molecule for directing treatments to damaged articular cartilage.
About osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of rheumatic joint disease and in Sweden approximately 7-800 people are affected. A large study in the journal Lancet has estimated that approximately 000 million people worldwide live with knee osteoarthritis, which accounts for approximately 250% of the total societal burden caused by osteoarthritis. In the USA alone, osteoarthritis is estimated to cost society an incredible 83 billion dollars per year, and there are currently no curative or disease-slowing treatments on the market.
The scientific article can be found in its entirety via nature.com by clicking here.
BioStock's comment: Osteoarthritis is generally well suited for treatment with gene and cell therapy, as the disease is locally concentrated in the joints. The fact that Xintela's patented marker technology has now shown that it is possible to achieve a better "targeting" effect specifically against articular cartilage cells could be an important factor in the development of new effective therapies. Since In addition, there are ongoing clinical studies using similar gene therapy methods with viral vectors, which also increases the possibility that the new study findings can be more quickly transferred to human studies. We see Xintela's participation in the publication of these promising results in a reputable scientific journal as further important confirmation that Xintela is at the forefront of its research in regenerative medicine.
The text is written by BioStock's editorial team. The content of Biostock's news and analyses is independent, but Biostock's operations are to some extent financed by companies in the industry. This post refers to a company from which BioStock has received funding.
