Overexpression of cystatin C in synovium does not reduce synovitis or cartilage degradation in established osteoarthritis

摘要

IntroductionCathepsin K (catK) expression is increased in cartilage, bone and synovium during osteoarthritis (OA). To study the role of catK expression and elevated cathepsin activity in the synovium on cartilage destruction in established OA, we overexpressed cystatin C (cysC), a natural cysteine protease inhibitor, in the synovium of rabbit OA joints.