Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating arthritic disorders and regulating bone mass

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved diagnostic methods for early detection of a risk for developing an arthritic disorder in humans, and screening assays for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of arthritic disorders, by comparing the levels of one or more indicators of altered mitochondrial function. Indicators of altered mitochondrial function include enzymes such as mitochondrial enzymes and ATP biosynthesis factors. Other indicators of altered mitochondrial function include mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial number and mitochondrial DNA content, cellular responses to elevated intracellular calcium and to apoptogens, and free radical production. Methods of treating, and of stratifying, human patients as such methods relate to disclosed indicators of altered mitchondrial function are also provided.

1 . A method of treating an arthritic disorder in a subject, comprising: 
 administering an effective amount of a mitochondrial function-altering agent to the subject, wherein the agent alters the rate of mitochondrial ATP synthesis in a chondrocyte.    
   
   
       2 . A method of treating an arthritic disorder in a subject, comprising: 
 administering an effective amount of a mitochondria protective agent to the subject, wherein the agent is an antioxidant.    
   
   
       3 . A method of treating an arthritic disorder in a subject, comprising: administering an effective amount of a mitochondrial function-altering agent and a mitochondria protective agent to the subject, wherein the mitochondrial function-altering agent and the mitochondria protective agent are different from each other.