Kartogenin Induced Chondrogenesis of Stem Cells and Cartilage Repair

Osteoarthritis (OA) is predicted to be the fourth leading cause of disability in the world by the year 2020. OA results in damage to cartilage tissue and underlying subchondral bone. Current therapeutic options for osteoarthritis (OA) are limited due to the unique nature of cartilage tissue. Alternatively, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been utilized for cartilage repair, but theformation of an intact neocartilage similar to hyaline cartilage is still a challenge. Kartogenin (KGN), a small heterocyclic, drug-like compound was discovered in the year 2012. KGN was found to induce chondrogenesis of MSCs and protect chondrocytes against OA.