Prediction of binding sites of
interleukin1 type1 receptors involved in osteoarthritis
Prathyusha Gopireddy, Btech Bioinformatics, SRM University, India.
By presidential proclamation, we're living in the National Bone and Joint Decade, 2002-2011, and that means we should be seeing a surge in research into causes and treatments of arthritis and other diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease), is a condition in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by abnormal wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints and destruction or decrease of synovial fluid that lubricates those joints. As the bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, the patient experiences pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing. It is estimated that 80% of the population will have radiographic evidence of OA by age 65, although only 60% of those will be symptomatic.
is the tough elastic material that covers and protects the ends of bones. In
healthy joints cartilage acts as a shock absorber when you put weight on the
joint. The slippery surface of the cartilage allows the bones to move smoothly.
When a joint develops osteoarthritis the cartilage gradually becomes rough and
thin, and the bone underneath thickens the early stage of the disease, as the
arthritis progresses there can be inflammation. Bits of cartilage may break off
and float around inside the joint. This disturbs other soft tissues inside the
joint and can cause pain and swelling between bones.
Causes of osteoarthritis:
- The exact cause is unknown.
- The chances of getting
osteoarthritis seem to increase with age.
- Some people with osteoarthritis
have other family members with it.
- Being overweight can increase
your risk of getting osteoarthritis.
- Injury to a joint or repeated
overuse of it can also damage the cartilage and lead to osteoarthritis.
- Pimary: As a person ages, the water content of the cartilage
decreases due to a reduced proteoglycan content, thus causing the
cartilage to be less resilient. Without the protective effects of the
proteoglycans, the collagen fibers of the cartilage can become susceptible
- Secondary: OA
caused by other factors such as Congenital disorders,Cracking
joints,Inflamatory diseases, Injury to joints,as a result of an
accident,joint infection, hormonal disorders, obesity, sports injuries,
- The main symptom is chronic pain,
causing loss of mobility and often stiffness.
- "Pain" is generally described as a
sharp ache, or a burning sensation in the associated muscles and tendons.
- OA can cause a crackling noise (called "crepitus")
when the affected joint is moved or touched, and patients may experience
muscle spasm and contractions in the tendons.
- Occasionally, the joints may also be filled