Highlights in Pathophysiology and Treatment of Osteoarthritis
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 41
Special Issue Editors
Interests: osteoarthritis; rheumatic diseases; microRNA; psoriatic arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: systemic sclerosis; autoimmune diseases; rheumatic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Osteoarthritis is a highly common and disabling condition worldwide. Growing evidence shows that osteoarthritis is a complex condition in which the whole joint is involved; the degradation of articular cartilage, subchondral sclerosis, and the hyperplasia of the synovial tissue are hallmarks of the disease. Unfortunately, its pathophysiology is not yet fully understood, and multiple factors ranging from aging to biomechanical and biochemical stimuli contribute to the development and progression of osteoarthritis. The pathological changes in the joint structure are mediated by a plethora of factors, such as proteases, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, adipokines, prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species. Current data suggest that aberrant epigenetic modifications, as well as the gut microbiome, play key roles in the pathophysiology of this disease.
Our incomplete knowledge of the pathophysiology of this disease and the complexity of the pathogenic mechanisms pose a challenge in its management. In fact, current pharmacological treatments are mostly related to the relief of symptoms; disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs, aimed at reducing symptoms in addition to slowing or stopping disease progression, are not currently available. The discovery of crucial pathways characterizing this disease could offer new opportunities to identify compounds potentially able to reduce or stop osteoarthritis progression.
Our aim in launching this Special Issue is to provide an overview of emerging studies designed to identify the complex pathological mechanisms that characterize the disease and that test different pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Research articles, review articles, and communications are welcome.
Dr. Antonella Fioravanti
Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Serena Guiducci
Co-Guest Editor
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Keywords
- osteoarthritis
- pathophysiology (cytokines, adipokines, chemokines, epigenetics, microbiome)
- cartilage
- synovial membrane
- subchondral bone
- treatment
- disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs
- non-pharmacological treatment
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