Osteoarthritis Onset, Progression Mechanisms Explored with ARRA Funding

NIAMS ARRA Chronicles—March 3, 2011   

At Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, Mary Goldring, Ph.D., and her colleagues there and at other institutions around the country are undertaking what they believe is a major step in defining the molecular mechanisms behind the onset and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), a disease in which the cartilage that cushions bones in joints wears away. According to Dr. Goldring, their work—funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases—may lead to the identification of critical targets for therapy to block OA cartilage damage and promote its repair.

ARRA funding has proved critical to her team’s efforts, says Dr. Goldring, allowing new research staff to be hired and continuing the work of at least one research technician at each collaborating institution. In addition, the support has enabled the investigators to expand their mouse facilities and create at least one new OA mouse model. “ARRA’s investment in our project,” remarks Dr. Goldring, “is enabling us to make significant progress against a condition that affects millions of Americans.”

Read the full story at niams.nih.gov.