HKUMed discovered genetic risk factors for spine OA
The SOX5 gene, which is known to be important for the development of intervertebral discs, has been linked to spine OA by the HKUMed team. The study also discovered that OA in the spine was linked to OA in other joints such as the hip, knee, finger, and thumb. It was also discovered that the CHST3 gene was one of the top three genes most strongly connected to hip OA.