Basic science of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent, disabling disorder of the joints that affects a large population worldwide and for which there is no definitive cure. This review provides critical insights into the basic knowledge on OA that may lead to innovative end efficient new therapeutic regimens. While degradation of the articular cartilage is the hallmark of OA, with altered interactions between chondrocytes and compounds of the extracellular matrix, the subchondral bone has been also described as a key component of the disease, involving specific pathomechanisms controlling its initiation and progression. The identification of such events (and thus of possible targets for therapy) has been made possible by the availability of a number of animal models that aim at reproducing the human pathology, in particular large models of high tibial osteotomy (HTO). From a therapeutic point of view, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising option for the treatment of OA and may be used concomitantly with functional substitutes integrating scaffolds and drugs/growth factors in tissue engineering setups. Altogether, these advances in the fundamental and experimental knowledge on OA may allow for the generation of improved, adapted therapeutic regimens to treat human OA.
Center of Experimental Orthopaedics, Saarland University Medical Center and Saarland University, Kirrbergerstr. Bldg 37, D-66421, Homburg, Germany. mmcucchiarini@hotmail.com.
Magali
M
Cucchiarini
Orthopaedic Biotechnology Laboratory, Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milan, Italy.
Laura
L
de Girolamo
Orthopaedic and Traumatologic I Clinic, Biomechanics Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Filardo
3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Univ. Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco GMR, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal.|ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associated Laboratory, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal.
J Miguel
JM
Oliveira
Center of Experimental Orthopaedics, Saarland University Medical Center and Saarland University, Kirrbergerstr. Bldg 37, D-66421, Homburg, Germany.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center and Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany.
Patrick
P
Orth
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg ville, Luxembourg.|Sports Medicine Research Laboratory, Public Research Centre for Health, Luxembourg, Centre Médical de la Fondation Norbert Metz, Luxembourg ville, Luxembourg.
Dietrich
D
Pape
UMR 7365 CNRS-Université de Lorraine, IMoPA, Biopôle de l'Université de Lorraine, Campus Biologie-Santé, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Pascal
P
Reboul
Animal models; Articular cartilage; Bone; Interface; Osteoarthritis; Pathomechanisms; Stem cells; Tissue engineering