Protective effects of a cathepsin K inhibitor, SB-553484, in the canine partial medial meniscectomy model of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2009 Sep;17(9):1236-43. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2009.03.015. Epub 2009 Apr 5.

Abstract

Objective: Cathepsin K (cat K), a cysteine protease expressed in osteoclasts, chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts, degrades several bone and cartilage matrix components suggesting its potential role in osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated the effects of SB-553484, an inhibitor of cat K, on lesion severity and biomarkers of collagen degradation in the canine partial medial meniscectomy model.

Methods: A partial medial meniscectomy was performed in mature female beagle dogs. Animals were dosed orally with vehicle or SB-553484 at 50mg/kg BID for 28 days. The femorotibial joints were evaluated for gross and microscopic histological changes. Biomarkers of collagen degradation were also analyzed.

Results: In dogs treated with SB-553484, subjective gross and calculated degeneration scores decreased significantly by 29% and 46%, respectively. Histopathologic evaluation demonstrated that the summed tibial degeneration score decreased significantly by 21%. Inhibition of tibial cartilage degeneration was significant in zone 1 (32%) and the depth ratio of any tibial matrix change was decreased significantly by 28%. Urinary biomarkers of bone and cartilage degradation were also significantly reduced.

Conclusion: Treatment with SB-553484 resulted in mild to moderate beneficial effects on gross and histopathological parameters. Reduction of biomarkers of collagen type I and II degradation indicated a direct effect of the compound on bone and cartilage. These data suggest that the prevention of cartilage degradation by cat K inhibition may represent a valid strategy for pharmacological intervention in OA and that monitoring collagen degradation biomarkers may provide an indication of the protective effects of inhibition of bone and cartilage degradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cartilage, Articular / drug effects*
  • Cathepsin K
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Osteoarthritis / metabolism*
  • Pyridines / metabolism*
  • Statistics as Topic

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridines
  • SB-553484
  • Cathepsin K