Second, while our findings demonstrate a critical role for mast cells, mast cell activation pathways, and the mast cell product tryptase in the development of osteoarthritis following DMM, further investigation is needed to characterize the relationship between IgE-mediated mast cell activation and the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteases implicated in synovitis and cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis. This evidence concerns the gene IGHE and osteoarthritis.