Biomarkers
Three cartilage turnover biomarkers were measured in the serum: huARGS quantifies ADAMTS-mediated aggrecan degradation by targeting a neoepitope of the aggrecan G2 domain. C2M measures a matrix-metallo-proteinase (MMP) generated neoepitope of type II collagen indicative of collagen degradation. PRO-C2 measures type II collagen formation via targeting the type IIB N-terminal pro-peptide region. Human ARGS (huARGS) was assessed by a chemiluminescence sandwich ELISA [