New joint lubrication technique 'could aid arthritis treatment'

Scientists in the US have developed a new means of improving the lubrication of arthritic joints by mimicking one of the body's natural functions.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have been able to bind a molecule naturally found in the fluid surrounding healthy joints, making it possible to create surfaces that can deliver long-lasting lubrication at specific spots throughout the body.

Published in the journal Nature Materials, the study took advantage of the natural lubricant properties of the biochemical known as hyaluronic acid (HA), which is found in large quantities in the synovial fluid around the joints.

Utilising HA-binding peptides as a chemical handle, the researchers used a second synthetic molecule called polyethylene glycol to tie HA on to various surfaces, including natural and artificial cartilage.

Tests using tissues and animal subjects demonstrated that the bound HA was not only difficult to wash away, but was also able to reduce friction as successfully as when the tissues were immersed in HA.

The scientists believe this new technique could potentially offer a new way of easing the pain experienced by patients with arthritic joints, or as a method of lubricating artificial joints to keep them moving smoothly.

Currently, the process of injecting HA into painful joints - known as viscosupplementation - is limited by the fact that the body's natural cleaning processes quickly wash the substance away.

Study leader Dr Jennifer Elisseeff, professor at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, said: "What I like about this concept is that we're mimicking natural functions that are lost using synthetic materials."

A spokesman for Arthritis Research UK commented: "It remains to be seen whether this new joint lubrication technique can be practically applied to patients. The use of hyaluronic acid or viscosupplementation is currently not approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) because it is not adjudged to be sufficiently clinically or cost effective."

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