Murata K, et al. - Researchers investigated if controlling joint instability hindered chronic synovial membrane inflammation and delayed osteophyte formation and also studied the role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling in the associated mechanism. They observed cell hyperplasia and proliferation and synovial thickening in the synovial membrane. They also noticed an increase in cartilage degeneration score and osteophyte formation due to joint instability. They also found increased TGF-β expression and Smad2/3 following TGF-β phosphorylation in the synovial membrane, articular cartilage, and the posterior tibial growth plate (TGF-β expression using ELISA).