The article “Mitoprotective therapy preserves chondrocyte viability and prevents cartilage degeneration in an ex vivo model of posttraumatic osteoarthritis” presented information about cellular injury and its restoration in patients with osteoarthritis (Delco et al., 2018). Researchers have studied the assumption that mitochondria, the “battery pack” of the cell, are significant components of the cellular injury-to-disease transformation. It is stated that osteoarthritis affects humans and horses because they have similar development of the disease and cause of disability of more than 200 million people (Roberts, 2020). As there are no drugs or methods to prevent the disease that hits many people and animals, analysts aim to find ways to protect cells from injuries.
The multidisciplinary study at Cornell discussed in the article proved that mitochondria are a pillar in the body’s response to trauma and found a substance that can disrupt the injury response. With colleagues, Michelle Delco identified the peptide SS-31 that may act as a shield for cells in cartilage to protect from the trauma and avoid arthritis (Delco et al., 2018). Researchers aimed to study further how mitochondria react to an injury and in which particular way the mentioned peptide saves cells. Delco researched the effects of mitochondria and SS-31 application in cartilage and found that SS-31 peptide helps cover chondrocytes days after a trauma.
Finally, the research highlighted the positive influence of SS-31 application in all cases where chondrocyte held their viability compared to un-injured control cases. The protective effect stayed for a week after the initial trial in culture. Researchers found out that SS-31 peptide helped avoid impact-caused chondrocyte apoptosis, cell membrane deterioration, and cartilage matrix destruction (Delco et al., 2018). Researchers further suggested that tests of mitochondria in SS-31 application in cartilage should be conducted in different oxygen concentration settings to ensure that a post‐injury cytoprotection process is viable in a different environment.
References
Delco, M. L., Bonnevie, E. D., Szeto, H. S., Bonassar, L. J., & Fortier, L. A. (2018). Mitoprotective therapy preserves chondrocyte viability and prevents cartilage degeneration in an ex vivo model of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Journal of orthopaedic research: Official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society, 36(8), 2147-215.
Roberts, L. (2020). Collaboration reveals potential new therapy for osteoarthritis. Cornell Chronicle.