Electroacupuncture attenuates synovitis in knee osteoarthritis and is associated with modulation of the protein S-TAM (Axl/MerTK)-Rac1 signaling axis - Takeaways - MDSpire

Electroacupuncture attenuates synovitis in knee osteoarthritis and is associated with modulation of the protein S-TAM (Axl/MerTK)-Rac1 signaling axis

  • By

  • Meng-Meng Li

  • Fei-Yang Jia

  • Hua-Li Tang

  • Xing Wen

  • Xia-Rong Huang

  • Lin-Wei Yin

  • Yi-Yang Xiao

  • Meng-Jian Qu

  • Jun Zhou

  • July 9, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Electroacupuncture (EA) significantly reduced cartilage damage and synovial inflammation in a rat model of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

  • 2

    EA treatment led to decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP13) and improved cartilage histopathology scores in KOA rats.

  • 3

    The cytokine profile shifted towards an anti-inflammatory pattern with EA, showing reduced IL-1β and TNF-α and increased IL-10 and TGF-β1.

  • 4

    EA was associated with the restoration of the Protein S-TAM (Axl/MerTK)-Rac1 signaling pathway, crucial for inflammation resolution.

  • 5

    The study highlights the potential of EA to address synovitis and cartilage integrity in KOA through specific molecular mechanisms.

Original Source(s)

Electroacupuncture attenuates synovitis in knee osteoarthritis and is associated with modulation of the protein S-TAM (Axl/MerTK)-Rac1 signaling axis

  • by Meng-Meng Li, Fei-Yang Jia, Hua-Li Tang, Xing Wen, Xia-Rong Huang, Lin-Wei Yin, Yi-Yang Xiao, Meng-Jian Qu, Jun Zhou

  • July 9, 2026

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