Biphasic regulation of chondrocytes by Rela through induction of anti-apoptotic and catabolic target genes

Rela is a transcription factor shown to have seemingly contradictory roles in anabolism and catabolism of cartilage. Here the authors find that Rela prevents chondrocyte apoptosis and that homozygous knockout causes accelerated osteoarthritis in adults, whereas heterozygous knockout suppresses osteoarthritis by maintaining wild-type effects on apoptosis but inhibiting catabolic gene expression.