Osteoarthritis and microRNAs: Do They Provide Novel Insights into the Pathophysiology of This Degenerative Disorder?

• Published in: Life (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 12; no. 11; p. 1914
• Main Authors: Iulian Stanciugelu, Stefan, Homorogan, Claudia, Selaru, Cosmin, Patrascu, Jenel Marian, Patrascu, Jr, Jenel Marian, Stoica, Raymond, Nitusca, Diana, Marian, Catalin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.11.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Arthritis; biomarkers; Cartilage; Development and progression; diagnostic; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Homeostasis; Inflammation; Joint diseases; MicroRNA; MicroRNAs; miRNA; Molecular modelling; Older people; Orthopedics; Osteoarthritis; Osteoporosis; Pathogenesis; Pathophysiology; Review; Roles; Romania; microRNAs; OA; diagnostic; biomarkers; pathophysiology
• ISSN: 2075-1729; 2075-1729
• DOI: 10.3390/life12111914

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent degenerative joint diseases in older adults and a leading cause of disability. Recent research studies have evidenced the importance of mi-croRNAs (miRs) in the pathogenesis of OA. In the present review, we focused on current literature findings on dysregulated miRs involved in the pathophysiology of OA. From the 35 case-control studies including OA patients compared to healthy controls, a total of 54 human miRs were identified to be dysregulated in OA. In total, 41 miRs were involved in the pathophysiological processes of OA, including apoptosis, inflammation, and proliferation, having either a protective or a progressive role in OA. The discovery of altered miR levels in OA patients compared to healthy controls determines a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of OA and could open novel horizons in the field of orthopedics.