The present invention relates to identification of Zinc-ZIP8-MTF1 axis that plays an important role to OA (osteoarthritis) pathogenesis process and a novel use thereof. According to the present invention, ZIP8 and MTF1 of the present invention increase in the expression in joint disease induced cells or cartilage tissue, and induce the expression of various matrix-degrading enzymes (e.g., MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-12, MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 etc.). In addition, when the expression of ZIP8 or MTF1 is inhibited in cells or tissues of animals (e.g., human, mouse), OA pathogenesis is inhibited. Therefore, the ZIP8 and MTF1 of the present invention may be applied to the diagnosis or prognosis of joint diseases, and may be used for the development of therapeutics for joint diseases using these.
