•  
  •  
 

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

blocking TLR4, RAGE, progression of OA in the TMJ

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the cartilage that affects more than 80% of Americans above the age of 65 (1). Many adults also suffer from Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), and 80% of such individuals eventually develop Temporomandibular joint associated Osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) (2). Current pharmaceutical options target symptoms of OA, but there are no known treatments available. Research is being undertaken to elucidate the root causes of the disease at a cellular level. Our lab has previously shown that mice lacking the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products are protected from OA (3). Other researchers have shown that blocking Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) also slows disease progression (4). The aim of this project was to determine the additive effects of blocking RAGE and TLR-4 on the progression of TMJ OA. The data presented in this report, while preliminary, provides new and exciting data in the study of OA.

Download

Included in

Physiology Commons

Share

COinS