The Role of Endogenous Glucocorticoids in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis

骨关节炎（OA）是一种退行性关节疾病，是致残的主要原因。最近，我们发现，如果局部阻断机体自身（=内源性）糖皮质激素的作用，小鼠实验性OA的发展可以减缓。本项目将确定内源性糖皮质激素如何加速OA的发展。我们将进一步测试阻断内源性糖皮质激素作用的药物治疗是否可以减缓或预防OA的发展。

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease and a leading cause of disability. Recently, we found that the development of experimental OA in mice can be slowed if the effects of the body’s own (=endogenous) glucocorticoids were blocked locally. This project will determine how endogenous glucocorticoids accelerate the development of OA. We will further test whether treatment with drugs that block the actions of endogenous glucocorticoids can slow or prevent the development of OA.