דוקטור לפילוסופיה -נאדר טרביה

We are pleased to share our new publication, titled “IL-34 as a Novel Mediator Linking Vitamin D Deficiency with Osteoporosis and Knee Osteoarthritis”, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Our study reveals that vitamin D deficiency is strongly associated with elevated IL-34 levels, intensified inflammatory activity, and a higher risk of osteoporosis and knee osteoarthritis.
We demonstrate that IL-34 plays a central mechanistic role linking low vitamin D status with bone loss and joint degeneration.
These findings highlight IL-34 as a promising biomarker and a potential therapeutic target.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262211090

Figure legend. Illustrative clinical cases with biomarker profiles and knee radiographs. The side of each knee right (R) or left (L) is clearly labeled, and arrows indicate the side or area of special clinical relevance (such as severe deformity). Case A (Healthy control): 55-year-old woman with FM/WT (0.31), VDD (25(OH)D = 37 nmol/L), and low IL-34 plasma levels (72.9 pg/mL). Radiographs show preserved joint spaces, smooth margins, and no osteophytes, sclerosis, or deformity. Case B (Early OA): 50-year-old woman with FM/WT (0.32) VDD (25(OH)D = 26 nmol/L) and elevated IL-34 plasma levels (150 pg/mL). Radiographs reveal early osteophytes at tibial spines and femoral margins with preserved joint spaces and no definite narrowing. Case C (Mild OA): 51-year-old woman with FM/WT (0.33), VDD (25(OH)D = 21 nmol/L), and elevated IL-34 plasma levels (350 pg/mL). Radiographs demonstrate definite osteophytes with mild medial joint-space narrowing and early subchondral sclerosis. Case D (Severe OA): 57-year-old woman with FM/WT (0.45), VDD (25-OH = 15 nmol/L), and markedly elevated IL-34 plasma levels (3,400 pg/mL). Radiographs show severe narrowing of the joint space, large osteophytes, and marked sclerosis. Case E (Post–unilateral knee replacement): 60-year-old woman with FM/WT (0.45), VDD (25(OH)D = 16 nmol/L), and elevated IL-34 plasma levels (2,850 pg/mL). Radiographs show right total knee arthroplasty with prosthesis, while the left knee demonstrates advanced osteoarthritic changes with marked narrowing, sclerosis and varus deformity. Case F (Post–unilateral knee replacement): 62-year-old woman with FM/WT (0.52), VDD (25(OH)D = 12 nmol/L), and very high IL-34 plasma levels (4,100 pg/mL). Radiographs show right total knee arthroplasty with prosthesis, whereas the left knee exhibits severe osteoarthritic changes with joint space narrowing, sclerosis and varus deformity. Abbreviations: FM/WT, fat mass-to-weight ratio; VDD, vitamin D deficiency