Study explains genetics behind OA

A team of British researchers has identified a genetic change that may significantly increase a person's chances of developing osteoarthritis. While a prescription to buy Celebrex is currently among the best treatments for the condition, the researchers said the finding could lead to new medications that cure the condition.

The University of Newcastle upon Tyne researchers found that an epigenetic change is responsible for the increased risk. Unlike genetic mutations, which are characterized by a miscoded section of DNA and are responsible for much of the known genetic links to disease, epigenetic changes deal with the degree to which a particular gene is expressed.

The study showed that low expression levels of one particular gene leads to increased production of an enzyme known as MMP13. This chemical has been shown in previous studies to attack joint tissue and play a role in the development of OA.

Findings from the study could lead to the development of new drugs for the condition, which will be particularly important in the near future as the population continues to age and millions of people develop joint pain, the researchers said.