To investigate the presence of WNT antagonists Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), Frizzled-related protein (FRZB) and BMP antagonist Gremlin 1 (GREM1) in synovial fluid (SF) and serum, respectively, from end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and correlate their expression with other markers of OA.
This study, for the first time, combined TNF-α, DKK1, and OPG as valuable biological markers in predicting the severity of KOA radiographically in the clinic.
Interference with the cartilage- and bone-deleterious actions of Dkk-1 provides therapeutic potential for alleviating cartilage destruction and subchondral bone damage in OA knee joints.