Disclosed herein is a synthetic peptide, which has an amino acid sequence that has 20–39 amino acid residues. The synthetic peptide has at least 80% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, and includes at least 20 consecutive residues that has at least 90% amino acid sequence identity to residues 11–30 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Also disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions containing the synthetic peptide and uses thereof. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the synthetic peptide is useful in treating osteoarthritis in a subject.
