Altered joint tribology in osteoarthritis: Reduced lubricin synthesis due to the inflammatory process. New horizons for therapeutic approaches.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disease. This review aimed to consolidate the current evidence that implicates the inflammatory process in the attenuation of synovial lubrication and joint tissue homeostasis in OA. Moreover, with these findings, we propose some evidence for novel therapeutic strategies for preventing and/or treating this complex disorder. The studies reviewed support that inflammatory mediators participate in the onset and progression of OA after joint injury. The flow of pro-inflammatory cytokines following an acute injury seems to be directly associated with altered lubricating ability in the joint tissue. The latter is associated with reduced level of lubricin, one of the major joint lubricants. Future research should focus on the development of new therapies that attenuate the inflammatory process and restore lubricin synthesis and function. This approach could support joint tribology and synovial lubrication leading to improved joint function and pain relief.
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy.
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Szychlinska
Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Section of Dentistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Leonardi
Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King Fahd Medical Research Center (KFMRC), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
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Al-Qahtani
Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King Fahd Medical Research Center (KFMRC), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; The D-BOARD European Consortium for Biomarker Discovery, The APPROACH Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) Consortium, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Duke of Kent Building, Guildford GU2 7XH, Surrey, United Kingdom; Arthritis Research UK Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis, Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre, Medical Research Council and Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
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Mobasheri
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy. Electronic address: g.musumeci@unict.it.
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Musumeci
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018450:Disease Progression; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007596:Joints / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D000099158:Proteoglycan 4
D006023:Glycoproteins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D000099158:Proteoglycan 4
Inflammation; Joint injury; Lubricin; Osteoarthritis; Pro-inflammatory cytokines