According to a survey the CDC conducted between 2019 and 2021, arthritis affects over 53 million Americans. The disease is also one of the leading causes of activity limitations among adults. It causes joint pain that for some people can be so severe that it forces them to quit physically demanding jobs.
Currently, medical professionals help patients manage the disease through medication, guided exercise, physical therapy, and surgery, though these methods may not always be effective. Fortunately, there is hope. Scientists from Northwestern University have come up with two innovations that could change the lives of arthritis patients: “dancing molecules” and “rubbery goo,” which both encourage cells to repair cartilage.
Dancing Molecules for Faster Arthritis Cartilage Regeneration
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In November 2021, researchers from Northwestern University, under the leadership of material sciences, chemistry, and medicine professor Samuel L. Stupp, introduced an injectable therapy involving “dancing molecules” that could reverse paralysis and repair tissues damaged by severe spinal cord injuries. The researchers injected the molecules as a liquid, which then transformed into tiny fiber structures called nanofibers around the spinal cord. The team discovered that by changing the molecules’ chemical structure, they could control how the molecules move within the nanofibers.
Surprisingly, the more the molecules “danced,” the better they sent signals to the cells through receptors and the more effective the treatment was. In the press release, Stupp explained that receptors found in cells, including neurons, are always in motion, and the most important part of their research was to ensure that the molecules moved in a controlled manner. The movement made the molecules connect effectively with receptors, which enhanced the treatment’s impact.
The Stupp-led team has used the same therapy technique to repair damaged cartilage and tackle arthritis. In their recent study, they activated gene expression necessary for cartilage generation. The results were very promising, for the regeneration happened only after four hours. Three days later, they observed with shock that proteins essential for cartilage repair were being produced in human cells. In addition, they saw that the more the molecules “danced,” the more cartilage cells grew.
Rubbery Goo Could Mark End of Knee Surgery for Arthritis Patients
Painful knee surgeries could soon be a thing of the past for arthritis patients once the material developed by the Northwestern University team hits the market. They came up with a new treatment that focuses on a hybrid biomaterial instead of dancing molecules. The biomaterial has two components: a bioactive peptide that binds to transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFb-1), a key protein for cartilage growth and maintenance, and modified hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance found in cartilage and lubricating fluid in joints. Hyaluronic acid is mainly used in skincare products but is also naturally found in body tissues like in the brain and joints. The team chosen for it closely resembles the natural polymers in cartilage.
The Stupp-led team mixed the bioactive peptides with chemically modified hyaluronic acid particles to form nanoscale fibers that self-organize into bundles, copying cartilage’s natural structure. The goal was to make a friendly environment that would attract the body’s cells to regenerate cartilage. The nanoscale fibers send bioactive signals, encouraging the cells to repair the damaged cartilage. What the biomaterial does is provide a framework for the body that naturally triggers a healing process that makes it easier for cartilage to regenerate.
To test the efficiency of the biomaterial in treating arthritis, the researchers used it on sheep that had cartilage defects in their stifle joints. They used sheep because they have knees that are similar to that of humans in terms of mechanical stress and weight-bearing. In addition, the cartilage in sheep and humans is stubborn and difficult to regenerate. Within the knee joints, the treatment transformed from a thick paste to a “rubbery goo” after the doctor injected it. Within six months, the damaged cartilage regenerated, and the repaired tissue had natural biopolymers, which give the joints mechanical resilience that makes them move pain-free. Given more research time, the team is confident that the “rubbery goo” could prevent arthritis-related surgeries.
Conclusion
Arthritis remains a significant health challenge that limits the mobility of tens of millions of Americans. Current treatments can help patients manage the disease, but they may not always be effective. The Northwestern University research team’s innovative treatment techniques involving “dancing molecules” and “rubbery goo” could revolutionize the lives of patients affected by arthritis. By regenerating cartilage and repairing damaged joints, these innovations could potentially reduce the need for surgeries and greatly improve the quality of life of those affected by this disease.
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician or other medical professional. Please speak with your doctor or therapist if you have any questions or concerns.
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