Regulation of apoptosis and interaction with cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease, primarily characterized by the degradation of the ECM and cartilage degeneration. Articular cartilage is maintained by chondrocytes, which secrete the ECM, making the stability of these cells crucial for joint function. Research has shown...

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Main Authors: Jiahua Mei, Niqin Xiao, Yujiang Xi, Xin Chen, Xuezhi Zha, Lili Cui, Fei Yan, Rui Xue, Yongsen Wang, Yunshu Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1571448/full
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author Jiahua Mei
Niqin Xiao
Yujiang Xi
Xin Chen
Xuezhi Zha
Lili Cui
Fei Yan
Rui Xue
Yongsen Wang
Yunshu Ma
Yunshu Ma
Yunshu Ma
author_facet Jiahua Mei
Niqin Xiao
Yujiang Xi
Xin Chen
Xuezhi Zha
Lili Cui
Fei Yan
Rui Xue
Yongsen Wang
Yunshu Ma
Yunshu Ma
Yunshu Ma
author_sort Jiahua Mei
collection DOAJ
description Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease, primarily characterized by the degradation of the ECM and cartilage degeneration. Articular cartilage is maintained by chondrocytes, which secrete the ECM, making the stability of these cells crucial for joint function. Research has shown that in the later stages of OA, cartilage cavities form, indicating a decline in chondrocyte function. Chondrocyte death is considered a central feature of cartilage degeneration. Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, plays a key role in this process. While controlled apoptosis helps remove damaged chondrocytes and protects the cartilage from injury, excessive apoptosis disrupts the balance of the cartilage microenvironment and accelerates OA progression. Therefore, regulating chondrocyte apoptosis may offer a novel approach for preventing and treating cartilage degeneration. This review examines the apoptosis pathways, the interaction between apoptosis and OA, the key regulatory factors of chondrocyte apoptosis, and analyzes current drug interventions targeting apoptosis in both preclinical and clinical studies. It also discusses the challenges in treating OA and outlines future research directions to guide upcoming studies.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2296-634X
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
spelling doaj-art-56cd548bcf234705adc0fd17c6d8774d2025-08-20T03:42:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2025-03-011310.3389/fcell.2025.15714481571448Regulation of apoptosis and interaction with cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritisJiahua Mei0Niqin Xiao1Yujiang Xi2Xin Chen3Xuezhi Zha4Lili Cui5Fei Yan6Rui Xue7Yongsen Wang8Yunshu Ma9Yunshu Ma10Yunshu Ma11Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaYunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaYunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaYunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaYunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaYunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaYunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaYunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaYunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaYunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of External Drug Delivery System and Preparation Technology in University of Yunnan Province, Kunming, ChinaYunnan Key Laboratory of Dai and Yi medicines, Kunming, ChinaOsteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease, primarily characterized by the degradation of the ECM and cartilage degeneration. Articular cartilage is maintained by chondrocytes, which secrete the ECM, making the stability of these cells crucial for joint function. Research has shown that in the later stages of OA, cartilage cavities form, indicating a decline in chondrocyte function. Chondrocyte death is considered a central feature of cartilage degeneration. Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, plays a key role in this process. While controlled apoptosis helps remove damaged chondrocytes and protects the cartilage from injury, excessive apoptosis disrupts the balance of the cartilage microenvironment and accelerates OA progression. Therefore, regulating chondrocyte apoptosis may offer a novel approach for preventing and treating cartilage degeneration. This review examines the apoptosis pathways, the interaction between apoptosis and OA, the key regulatory factors of chondrocyte apoptosis, and analyzes current drug interventions targeting apoptosis in both preclinical and clinical studies. It also discusses the challenges in treating OA and outlines future research directions to guide upcoming studies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1571448/fullosteoarthritisapoptosiscartilage degenerationsignaling pathwaysmolecular mechanisms
spellingShingle Jiahua Mei
Niqin Xiao
Yujiang Xi
Xin Chen
Xuezhi Zha
Lili Cui
Fei Yan
Rui Xue
Yongsen Wang
Yunshu Ma
Yunshu Ma
Yunshu Ma
Regulation of apoptosis and interaction with cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
osteoarthritis
apoptosis
cartilage degeneration
signaling pathways
molecular mechanisms
title Regulation of apoptosis and interaction with cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis
title_full Regulation of apoptosis and interaction with cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis
title_fullStr Regulation of apoptosis and interaction with cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis
title_full_unstemmed Regulation of apoptosis and interaction with cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis
title_short Regulation of apoptosis and interaction with cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis
title_sort regulation of apoptosis and interaction with cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis
topic osteoarthritis
apoptosis
cartilage degeneration
signaling pathways
molecular mechanisms
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1571448/full
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