Stromal cell-derived factor-1 as a potential therapeutic target for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

With age, joints become subject to chronic inflammatory processes that lead to degeneration of articular cartilage. Although multifactorial, cytokines have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of these chronic disease states. Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is a chemokine that has been shown to be active in homeostatic mechanisms and developmental processes throughout the body, such as endochondral bone formation. SDF-1 plays a role in the transition from cartilage to bone. Although it has been shown to be a factor in normal development, it has also been shown to involve in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). In RA, SDF-1 has been shown to stimulate the recruitment of proinflammatory cells, as well as osteoclasts to the synovium, aiding in the facilitation of synovial degradation. Similarly, in OA, SDF-1 has been shown to regulate key proteins involved in the degradation of the cartilage of the joint. Because of its role in degenerative joint disease, SDF-1 has been investigated as a potential therapeutic target. Animal studies have been employing SDF-1 inhibitors, such as AMD3100 and T140, to study their effects on attenuating degenerative joint disease. These studies have shown promising results in slowing the progression of cartilage degradation and could potentially be used as therapeutic target for humans OA and RA.