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Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ., 21 July 2004 PERSPECTIVESAging Cartilage and Osteoarthritis--What's the Link?Richard F. Loeser Jr. The author is in the Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Section of Rheumatology at Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. E-mail: rloeser{at}rush.edu http://sageke.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2004/29/pe31Key Words: cartilage • osteoarthritis • chondrocyte • extracellular matrix • catabolic pathways • oxidative stress
Abstract: Cartilage aging can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis (OA), the most common cause of chronic pain and disability in older adults. Articular cartilage is a unique tissue from the perspective of aging in that the cells (chondrocytes) and the majority of the extracellular matrix proteins experience little turnover, resulting in a tissue that must withstand years of use and can also accumulate years of aging-associated changes. Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) occurs in cartilage, and the potential role of AGEs in the development of OA is being investigated. An age-associated reduction in growth factor signaling and an increase in oxidative stress may also play an important role in the age-OA connection. Further elucidation of mechanisms that affect chondrocyte function with aging should lead to novel interventions designed to slow the aging process in cartilage with the goal of preventing age-associated OA. Citation: R. F. Loeser, Aging Cartilage and Osteoarthritis--What's the Link? Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ. 2004 (29), pe31 (2004).
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Science of Aging Knowledge Environment. ISSN 1539-6150
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