title: [Osteoarthritis: etiology, risk factors, molecular mechanisms].
abstract: Osteoarthritis is an incurable joint disease manifesting itself with gradually progressing degenerative changes, leading to premature motor disability. These changes mainly occur owing to an imbalance between the processes of degeneration and regeneration of articular cartilage structures. Until now many risk factors favoring the development of degenerative joint disease have been identified. These include age, weight, previously sustained traumas to joints, sports, sex and genetic predisposition. The latest scientific reports confirm that the pathogenesis of changes in osteoarthritic joints is complex and occurs on many levels. Enzymes belonging to the metalloproteinases family are mainly responsible for the degeneration of articular cartilage. Their activity is regulated by numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors and miRNA. A thorough analysis of all processes occurring in the afflicted joints needs to be carried out before effective therapeutic strategies can be developed.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Biochemii Medycznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chojnacki
authors.affiliation: Klinika Ortopedii i Ortopedii Dziecięcej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kwapisz
authors.affiliation: Klinika Ortopedii i Ortopedii Dziecięcej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Synder
authors.affiliation: Zakład Biochemii Medycznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szemraj
mesh_terms: D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012038:Regeneration; D012307:Risk Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; D045726:Metalloproteases