Gremlin-1 Concentrations Are Correlated with the Severity of Knee Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Gremlin-1, a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist, is up-regulated in osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, we aim to evaluate the correlation between gremlin-1 concentrations and the onset and severity of OA. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed this cross-sectional study in a population of 212 patients with knee OA and 125 healthy controls. RESULTS Patients with knee OA had higher serum gremlin-1 concentrations than healthy controls. Serum and synovial fluid (SF) gremlin-1 concentrations increased according to advanced Kellgren-Lawrence grading stages. CONCLUSIONS Serum and SF gremlin-1 concentrations are correlated with the onset and severity of knee OA.