Evolutionary adaptations that allowed humans to become bipedal may have also made the knees susceptible to osteoarthritis, according to an article published in The Harvard Gazette. In a new talk at the Museums of Science & Culture, Terence D. Capellini, PhD, Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, explained that structures in the knee and pelvis changed as the human posture became more upright, including a shorter and wider pelvis, a more angled femur, a thicker and more rounded tibia, and a wider contact point between the femur and the tibia. Although these alterations have allowed for longer-distance locomotion and larger fetal heads, Dr. Capellini emphasized that the new structures also increased the wear of the knee joints. He further noted that he and his colleagues have been able to identify the regulatory proteins responsible for either activating or turning off mutations that determine the physical characteristics and integrity of the joints. Dr. Capellini hopes his findings can be used to develop new therapeutics for individuals who may be genetically predisposed to develop knee osteoarthritis and to educate this population on activities that may benefit joint health.
May 25, 2023