The role of Smoc2 in cartilage and bone differentiation and homeostasis

The project entitled ‘A systems biology approach of Wnt signaling in cartilage’ focuses on osteoarthritis or briefly OA, which is a progressive and degenerative disorder affecting around 40% of people over 70 years. Due to an aging population, this number will only increase together with the costs related to the disease. Until now, no cure or disease modifying drugs for OA are available. Previous research has demonstrated that the key process leading to OA is a shift from a stable chondrocyte phenotype to chondrocyte hypertrophy. Chondrocyte hypertrophy induces cartilage degradation, neovascularization and subchondral bone remodeling, leading to an alteration of joint morphology with loss of normal joint function and pain as a result. Previously, the importance of Wnt signaling cascades in maintaining joint homeostasis has been showed. The goal of this project is to develop therapeutic wnt signaling modulators that could modify the imbalanced Wnt signaling in OA.