These results indicate that B2M is highly expressed in OA cartilage and synovial fluid compared to normal, and suggest that B2M may have effects on chondrocyte function that could contribute to OA pathogenesis. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

The EST approach is an effective way of characterizing the genes expressed in cartilage. These data represent the most extensive molecular information on human fetal cartilage to date. The availability of this information will serve as a basis for further research to identify genes that are essential in cartilage development.