mRNA-activated blood clots could cushion the blow of osteoarthritis

University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have developed a promising technique for treating osteoarthritis using therapeutic blood clots activated by messenger RNA.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting roughly 33 million adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It occurs when cartilage in key joints like the knees and hips deteriorates, causing pain and stiffness and impeding mobility.

In a paper in the journal Bioactive Materials published online in December 2024, the UW-Madison research team led by William Murphy, a professor of biomedical engineering and orthopedics and rehabilitation, details its new approach. With further development, it could one day offer a more effective option than treatments such as steroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections or even joint replacement surgeries.

Read more here: https://engineering.wisc.edu/news/mrna-activated-blood-clots-could-cushion-the-blow-of-osteoarthritis/