Articular Cells and Tissues in Health and Osteoarthritis

Dear Colleagues,

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most frequent musculoskeletal disease and a huge socio-economic burden, has recently been defined as “a progressive disease of synovial joints that represents failed repair of joint damage that results from stresses that may be initiated by an abnormality in any of the synovial joint tissues, including articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, menisci (when present), periarticular muscles, peripheral nerves, or synovium”. This highlights the complex nature of OA etiology, likely defining a heterogeneous group of conditions that differ in etiopathogenesis and clinical course, but share a final outcome characterized by joint destruction. Current knowledge regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive joint destruction is still limited. Hence, a better understanding of the physiology of all joint tissues and how they influence each other, as well as of the mechanisms by which each joint tissue contributes to OA development and progression, is essential for the develoment of new more effective therapies.

This objective, thus, pertains both to basic and clinical research relating to articular cartilage, bone, synovial membrane, menisci, tendons, ligaments, muscles and peripheral nerves. This Special Issue “Articular Cells and Tissues in Health and Osteoarthritis”, aims at contributing to highlight the role of the various articular tissues and cells in health and OA pathogenesis and so, welcomes original articles and current reviews that tackle these subjects, either from a basic research or clinical point of view.

Dr. Alexandrina Ferreira Mendes
Guest Editor

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