Research advances on chondrocyte apoptosis in osteoarthritis
10.3760/cma.j.cn121113-20241224-00755
- VernacularTitle:骨关节炎中软骨细胞凋亡的研究进展
- Author:
Jiwei HUANG
1
;
Longfei WU
;
Yuhao ZHAO
;
Haiyan ZHAO
Author Information
1. 兰州大学第一临床医学院，兰州 730000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Osteoarthritis;
Apoptosis;
Chondrocytes;
Hydrogels;
Nanotechnology
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics
2025;45(18):1217-1226
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Osteoarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by damage to the articular cartilage, synovitis, and subchondral bone remodeling. Its pathological mechanisms involve extracellular matrix degradation, cell apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammatory responses. Among these, dysregulated apoptosis is a central driver of disease progression, making chondrocyte apoptosis a critical therapeutic target. This review summarizes current understanding of OA pathogenesis. Pro-inflammatory cytokines [e.g., interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6] exacerbate cartilage catabolism by activating signaling pathways like NF-κ B and MAPK. Chemokines, including the C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) family and the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXC) family, amplify the inflammatory cascade by recruiting inflammatory cells, thereby contributing to the pathological process of osteoarthritis. In the study of programmed cell death, apoptosis is divided into extrinsic (death receptor pathway) and intrinsic (mitochondrial pathway) types. Both pathways induce chondrocyte apoptosis by activating the caspase cascade. Reactive oxygen species and inflammatory factors can promote excessive chondrocyte apoptosis through these pathways. Therapeutic strategies targeting apoptosis are diverse and include non-coding RNAs (miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA) that inhibit apoptosis by regulating related signaling pathways; phytochemicals that exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects; exosomes that suppress apoptosis by modulating immune responses and metabolism; and proteins/cytokines as well as melatonin, which protect chondrocytes by regulating specific signaling pathways. Clinical studies suggest these approaches hold promise for precision and personalized therapy, though challenges such as high cost, off-target effects, and drug resistance remain. In addition, drug delivery systems based on biomaterials (hydrogels) and nanotechnology can improve drug bioavailability and targeting. For example, drug-loaded hydrogels enable sustained release, and nanoparticles enhance drug stability and delivery efficiency, offering new perspectives for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
