Crosslinking by advanced glycation end products increases the stiffness of the collagen network in human articular cartilage: A possible mechanism through which age is a risk factor for osteoarthritis

Increasing cartilage AGE crosslinking by in vitro incubation with threose resulted in increased stiffness of the collagen network. Increased stiffness by AGE crosslinking may contribute to the age-related failure of the collagen network in human articular cartilage to resist damage. Thus, the age-related accumulation of AGE crosslinks presents a putative molecular mechanism whereby age is a predisposing factor for the development of OA.