In Vivo Imaging of MMP‐13 Activity Using a Specific Polymer‐FRET Peptide Conjugate Detects Early Osteoarthritis and Inhibitor Efficacy

Imaging early molecular changes in osteoarthritic (OA) joints is instrumental for the development of disease‐modifying drugs. To this end, a fluorescent resonance energy transfer‐based peptide probe that is cleavable by matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP‐13) has been developed. This protease degrades type II collagen, a major matrix component of cartilage. The probe exhibits high catalytic efficiency ( k cat / K M = 6.5 × 10 5 m −1 s −1 ) and high...