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International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2023Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive, severely debilitating, and multifactorial joint disease that is recognized as the most common type of arthritis. During... (Review)
Review
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive, severely debilitating, and multifactorial joint disease that is recognized as the most common type of arthritis. During the last decade, it shows an incremental global rise in prevalence and incidence. The interaction between etiologic factors that mediate joint degradation has been explored in numerous studies. However, the underlying processes that induce OA remain obscure, largely due to the variety and complexity of these mechanisms. During synovial joint dysfunction, the osteochondral unit undergoes cellular phenotypic and functional alterations. At the cellular level, the synovial membrane is influenced by cartilage and subchondral bone cleavage fragments and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation products from apoptotic and necrotic cells. These "foreign bodies" serve as danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that trigger innate immunity, eliciting and sustaining low-grade inflammation in the synovium. In this review, we explore the cellular and molecular communication networks established between the major joint compartments-the synovial membrane, cartilage, and subchondral bone of normal and OA-affected joints.
Topics: Humans; Cartilage, Articular; Osteoarthritis; Joints; Synovial Membrane; Bone and Bones; Inflammation
PubMed: 36835530
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044120 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Jul 2022Arthrofibrosis, or rigid contracture of major articular joints, is a significant morbidity of many neurodegenerative disorders. The pathogenesis depends on the mechanism... (Review)
Review
Arthrofibrosis, or rigid contracture of major articular joints, is a significant morbidity of many neurodegenerative disorders. The pathogenesis depends on the mechanism and severity of the precipitating neuromuscular disorder. Most neuromuscular disorders, whether spastic or hypotonic, culminate in decreased joint range of motion. Limited range of motion precipitates a cascade of pathophysiological changes in the muscle-tendon unit, the joint capsule, and the articular cartilage. Resulting joint contractures limit functional mobility, posing both physical and psychosocial burdens to patients, economic burdens on the healthcare system, and lost productivity to society. This article reviews the pathophysiology of arthrofibrosis in the setting of neuromuscular disorders. We describe current non-surgical and surgical interventions for treating arthrofibrosis of commonly affected joints. In addition, we preview several promising modalities under development to ameliorate arthrofibrosis non-surgically and discuss limitations in the field of arthrofibrosis secondary to neuromuscular disorders.
Topics: Contracture; Fibrosis; Humans; Joint Capsule; Joint Diseases; Joints; Knee Joint; Range of Motion, Articular
PubMed: 35906570
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05677-z -
Current Osteoporosis Reports Feb 2015Synovial joint morphogenesis occurs through the condensation of mesenchymal cells into a non-cartilaginous region known as the interzone and the specification of... (Review)
Review
Synovial joint morphogenesis occurs through the condensation of mesenchymal cells into a non-cartilaginous region known as the interzone and the specification of progenitor cells that commit to the articular fate. Although several signaling molecules are expressed by the interzone, the mechanism is poorly understood. For treatments of cartilage injuries, it is critical to discover the presence of joint progenitor cells in adult tissues and their expression gene pattern. Potential stem cell niches have been found in different joint regions, such as the surface zone of articular cartilage, synovium, and groove of Ranvier. Inherited joint malformations as well as joint-degenerating conditions are often associated with other skeletal defects and may be seen as the failure of morphogenic factors to establish the correct microenvironment in cartilage and bone. Therefore, exploring how joints form can help us understand how cartilage and bone are damaged and develop drugs to reactivate this developing mechanism.
Topics: Homeostasis; Humans; Joints; Morphogenesis; Organogenesis
PubMed: 25431159
DOI: 10.1007/s11914-014-0247-7 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Aug 2016Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease destroying articular cartilage and bone. The female preponderance and the influence of... (Review)
Review
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease destroying articular cartilage and bone. The female preponderance and the influence of reproductive states in RA have long linked this disease to sexually dimorphic, reproductive hormones such as prolactin (PRL). PRL has immune-enhancing properties and increases in the circulation of some patients with RA. However, PRL also suppresses the immune system, stimulates the formation and survival of joint tissues, acquires antiangiogenic properties upon its cleavage to vasoinhibins, and protects against joint destruction and inflammation in the adjuvant-induced model of RA. This review addresses risk factors for RA linked to PRL, the effects of PRL and vasoinhibins on joint tissues, blood vessels, and immune cells, and the clinical and experimental data associating PRL with RA. This information provides important insights into the pathophysiology of RA and highlights protective actions of the PRL/vasoinhibin axis that could lead to therapeutic benefits.
Topics: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Animals; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cartilage, Articular; Female; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunity, Cellular; Inflammation; Joints; Male; Prolactin; Reproduction; Sex Factors; Stress, Physiological; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 27026299
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2187-0 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Oct 2011Articular cartilage defects are most often caused by trauma and osteoarthritis and less commonly by metabolic disorders of the subchondral bone, such as osteonecrosis... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Articular cartilage defects are most often caused by trauma and osteoarthritis and less commonly by metabolic disorders of the subchondral bone, such as osteonecrosis and osteochondritis dissecans. Such defects do not heal spontaneously in adults and can lead to secondary osteoarthritis. Medications are indicated for symptomatic relief. Slow-acting drugs in osteoarthritis (SADOA), such as glucosamine and chondroitin, are thought to prevent cartilage degeneration. Reconstructive surgical treatment strategies aim to form a repair tissue or to unload compartments of the joint with articular cartilage damage.
METHODS
In this article, we selectively review the pertinent literature, focusing on original publications of the past 5 years and older standard texts. Particular attention is paid to guidelines and clinical studies with a high level of evidence, along with review articles, clinical trials, and book chapters.
RESULTS
There have been only a few randomized trials of medical versus surgical treatments. Pharmacological therapies are now available that are intended to treat the cartilage defect per se, rather than the associated symptoms, yet none of them has yet been shown to slow or reverse the progression of cartilage destruction. Surgical débridement of cartilage does not prevent the progression of osteoarthritis and is thus not recommended as the sole treatment. Marrow-stimulating procedures and osteochondral grafts are indicated for small focal articular cartilage defects, while autologous chondrocyte implantationis mainly indicated for larger cartilage defects. These surgical reconstructive techniques play a lesser role in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Osteotomy near the knee joint is indicated for axial realignment when unilateral osteoarthritis of the knee causes axis deviation.
CONCLUSION
Surgical reconstructive techniques can improve joint function and thereby postpone the need for replacement of the articular surface with an artificial joint.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Arthroplasty; Cartilage; Cartilage Diseases; Chondroitin; Glucosamine; Humans; Joints; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 22114626
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2011.0669 -
Current Topics in Membranes 2017Cartilage is an intrinsically mechanically sensitive tissue composed of chondrocytes as the only cell type. Chondrocyte mechanotransduction is not well understood, but... (Review)
Review
Cartilage is an intrinsically mechanically sensitive tissue composed of chondrocytes as the only cell type. Chondrocyte mechanotransduction is not well understood, but recently we identified critical components of the mechanotransduction machinery demonstrating how mechanical stimulation of these cells can be converted into cellular calcium signals. Physiologic mechanical cues induce anabolic responses of (post-mitotic) chondrocytes via transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 ion channels, whereas injurious mechanical stress is transduced by Piezo1 jointly with Piezo2 ion channels. This chapter sheds light on the latter discovery and provides a rationale for follow-up questions, such as the nature of interaction between Piezo1 and Piezo2, and their tethering to the cytoskeleton. These recent insights can be leveraged toward translational medical progress to benefit diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis, representing a large and growing unmet medical need in the United States and large parts of the world.
Topics: Animals; Chondrocytes; Health; Humans; Ion Channels; Joints; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Stress, Mechanical
PubMed: 28728820
DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctm.2016.10.003 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between joint structures of the first tarsometatarsal and articular facet degeneration. A total of 100 feet from 50...
This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between joint structures of the first tarsometatarsal and articular facet degeneration. A total of 100 feet from 50 cadavers were examined. The articular facets of the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform were categorized into four types based on the superior and inferior facets' separation, and the formation of the inferior lateral facet on the lateral plantar prominence: Type I, a single facet with no separation or inferior lateral facet; Type II-a, two facets with separation but no inferior lateral facet; Type II-b, two facets, no separation, but with an inferior lateral facet; Type III, three facets with separation and an inferior lateral facet. When both bone types matched, they were defined as Type I, Type II-a, Type II-b, and Type III joints, respectively; unmatched types were classified as Unpair joints. The severity of articular cartilage degeneration on both bones was assessed using a 5-point scale. The degeneration grade was compared among joint types. Type III joints exhibited significantly milder articular cartilage degeneration in medial cuneiform compared to Type II-a, II-b, Unpair joints. The formation of inferior lateral facet and separation of the superior and inferior facets might be crucial for the joint's stability.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Aged; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cadaver; Cartilage, Articular; Metatarsal Bones; Tarsal Joints; Foot Joints
PubMed: 38866886
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64064-x -
Journal of Anatomy Feb 2009Exercise remains an extremely popular leisure time activity in many countries throughout the western world. It is widely promoted in the lay press as having salutory... (Review)
Review
Exercise remains an extremely popular leisure time activity in many countries throughout the western world. It is widely promoted in the lay press as having salutory benefits for weight control, disease management advantages for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, in addition to improving psychological well-being amongst an array of other benefits. In contrast, however, the lay press and community perception is also that exercise is potentially deleterious to one's joints. The purpose of this review is to consider what osteoarthritis (OA) is and provide an overview of the epidemiology of OA focusing on validated risk factors for its development. In particular the role of both exercise and occupational activity in OA will be described as well as the role of exercise to the joints' tissues (particularly cartilage) and the role of exercise in disease management. Despite the common misconception that exercise is deleterious to one's joints, in the absence of joint injury there is no evidence to support this notion. Rather it would appear that exercise has positive salutory benefits for joint tissues in addition to its other health benefits.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aging; Athletic Injuries; Cartilage, Articular; Exercise; Female; Humans; Joints; Leisure Activities; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Osteoarthritis
PubMed: 19207981
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.01013.x -
Current Topics in Developmental Biology 2019The joints are a diverse group of skeletal structures, and their genesis, morphogenesis, and acquisition of specialized tissues have intrigued biologists for decades.... (Review)
Review
The joints are a diverse group of skeletal structures, and their genesis, morphogenesis, and acquisition of specialized tissues have intrigued biologists for decades. Here we review past and recent studies on important aspects of joint development, including the roles of the interzone and morphogenesis of articular cartilage. Studies have documented the requirement of interzone cells in limb joint initiation and formation of most, if not all, joint tissues. We highlight these studies and also report more detailed interzone dissection experiments in chick embryos. Articular cartilage has always received special attention owing to its complex architecture and phenotype and its importance in long-term joint function. We pay particular attention to mechanisms by which neonatal articular cartilage grows and thickens over time and eventually acquires its multi-zone structure and becomes mechanically fit in adults. These and other studies are placed in the context of evolutionary biology, specifically regarding the dramatic changes in limb joint organization during transition from aquatic to land life. We describe previous studies, and include new data, on the knee joints of aquatic axolotls that unlike those in higher vertebrates, are not cavitated, are filled with rigid fibrous tissues and resemble amphiarthroses. We show that when axolotls metamorph to life on land, their intra-knee fibrous tissue becomes sparse and seemingly more flexible and the articular cartilage becomes distinct and acquires a tidemark. In sum, there have been considerable advances toward a better understanding of limb joint development, biological responsiveness, and evolutionary influences, though much remains unclear. Future progress in these fields should also lead to creation of new developmental biology-based tools to repair and regenerate joint tissues in acute and chronic conditions.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Bone and Bones; Cartilage, Articular; Cell Lineage; Humans; Joints; Morphogenesis
PubMed: 30902250
DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2018.11.002 -
Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Surgery &... Oct 2013The talonavicular (TN) joint and the three subtalar (ST) joints are linked anatomically and functionally. Together they form the subtalar joint complex, where movement... (Review)
Review
The talonavicular (TN) joint and the three subtalar (ST) joints are linked anatomically and functionally. Together they form the subtalar joint complex, where movement occurs between the calcaneopedal unit (CPU) (entire foot except the talus) and the talotibiofibular unit (talus held tightly by the ankle mortise). Many are unaware of the TN joint's dual membership: it is a component of the subtalar joint complex (talocalcaneonavicular joint) and also the transverse tarsal joint (with the calcaneal-cuboid joint). The anatomy of the articulating surfaces, movement of the CPU when unloaded, shifts and changes in CPU shape with weight bearing, application to clinical tests and X-ray interpretation, and the pathophysiology applications to pes cavovarus, pes planovalgus and congenital talipes equinovarus (club foot) will be reviewed here. The CPU concept corresponds to a horizontal segmentation of the foot. This is a useful supplement to the two other segmentation methods: frontal (hindfoot, midfoot and forefoot) and sagittal (medial and lateral columns). This horizontal segmentation solves the issues with the ST joint complex, which straddles the hindfoot and midfoot, and also the issues with the dual membership of the TN joint. This concept makes it easier to understand foot deformities, better interpret the clinical and radiological signs and deduce logical treatments.
Topics: Calcaneus; Clubfoot; Humans; Orthopedic Procedures; Subtalar Joint
PubMed: 23978710
DOI: 10.1016/j.otsr.2013.07.003