Muscle gene expression and knee osteoarthritis in older SOMMA participants
In 523 older SOMMA participants, knee osteoarthritis on radiographs was associated with genes and gene sets expressed in vastus lateralis muscle; the abstract reports associations only, not causes or effects on progression. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
523 older SOMMA participants with knee radiographs and vastus lateralis RNA sequencing were included; 56% were female. [1]
Compared with controls, 27 genes were associated with Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 2 and 41 with grade ≥ 3. [1]
The authors say longitudinal studies are needed to determine how these genes could affect knee osteoarthritis progression. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Cross-sectional gene expression association study reported in an abstract
- Population / context
- Older adult participants of the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA) with knee radiographs and vastus lateralis RNA sequencing.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 17, 2026
Muscle RNA and knee X-rays in 523 older adults
The Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA) examined older adults who had knee radiographs and RNA sequencing of the vastus lateralis muscle; 523 people were included, 56% of them female. Knee osteoarthritis was graded on radiographs with Kellgren-Lawrence grades. Gene expression was compared between a control group (grade ≤ 1, n = 326) and two nested case groups: grade ≥ 2 (n = 197) and grade ≥ 3 (n = 112).
Supporting source [1]
27 and 41 genes linked to higher OA grades
Compared with controls, 27 genes were associated with grade ≥ 2 and 41 with grade ≥ 3 (false discovery rate ≤ 0.05); 16 genes were associated in both comparisons. For 15 of these 16 genes, the association was larger with more severe osteoarthritis (grade ≥ 3). Genes associated in both comparisons included brain-derived neurotrophic factor and interferon regulatory factor 2. Enriched gene sets in both comparisons included DNA repair and branched chain amino acid catabolism.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract reports associations, not progression effects
The authors describe the results as associations between knee osteoarthritis and genes and pathways expressed in skeletal muscle, involved in pain sensitization, branched chain amino acid catabolism, muscle function preservation, calcium transport and storage, inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling. They state that additional longitudinal studies are needed to determine how these genes could affect progression of knee osteoarthritis. The abstract does not report whether muscle gene expression was measured before or after the radiographs.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a cross-sectional comparison of gene expression with radiographic grades, so associations are not causes, and the abstract does not report timing of muscle sampling relative to radiographs or any follow-up.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Evans DS, Mansfield TA, Many GM, Sagendorf TJ, Farsijani S, Goodpaster BH, Sparks LM, Lane NE. · europepmc.org · September 17, 2026