Increased type II deiodinase protein in OA-affected cartilage and allelic imbalance of OA risk polymorphism rs225014 at DIO2 in human OA joint tissues.

Objective: Genetic variation at the type II deiodinase (D2) gene (DIO2) was previously identified as osteoarthritis (OA) risk factor. To investigate mechanisms possibly underlying this association, we assessed D2 protein in healthy and OA-affected cartilage and investigated allelic balance of the OA risk polymorphism rs225014 at DIO2 in human OA joints.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining of healthy and OA-affected cartilage was performed for D2.