Abstract
It is well accepted that aging is one of the most prominent risk factors for the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis. One of the most pronounced age-related changes in chondrocytes is the exhibition of a senescent phenotype, which is the result of several factors including the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and advanced glycation end products. Compared with a normal chondrocyte, senescent chondrocytes exhibit an impaired ability to respond to many mechanical and inflammatory insults to the articular cartilage. Furthermore, protein secretion is altered in aging chondrocytes, demonstrated by a decrease in anabolic activity and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix-degrading enzymes. Together, these events may make the articular cartilage matrix more susceptible to damage and lead to the onset of osteoarthritis. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying age-related chondrocyte pathophysiology may be critical for the development of novel therapeutic interventions for progressive joint diseases.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 196-201 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Current Osteoporosis Reports |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aging
- Chondrocytes
- Osteoarthritis
- Senescence
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism