Bone–cartilage crosstalk: a conversation for understanding osteoarthritis

Abstract

Although cartilage degradation is the characteristic feature of osteoarthritis (OA), it is now recognized that the whole joint is involved in the progression of OA. In particular, the interaction (crosstalk) between cartilage and subchondral bone is thought to be a central feature of this process. The interface between articular cartilage and bone of articulating long bones is a unique zone, which comprises articular cartilage, below which is the calcified cartilage sitting on and intercalated into the subchondral bone plate. Below the subchondral plate is the trabecular bone at the end of the respective long bones. In OA, there are well-described progressive destructive changes in the articular cartilage, which parallel characteristic changes in the underlying bone. This review examines the evidence that biochemical and biomechanical signaling between these tissue compartments is important in OA disease progression and asks whether such signaling might provide possibilities for therapeutic intervention to halt or slow disease development.

Osteoarthritis: Communication between cartilage and bone

Communications between cartilage and underlying bone could play a vital role in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). During OA, a condition characterized by joint pain and swelling, cell behavior and molecular expression in bone and cartilage are altered, but exactly how the two tissues interact and respond to such changes is unclear. David Findlay and Julia Kuliwaba from the University of Adelaide, Australia, reviewed current understanding of cartilage-bone interplay in both healthy joints and those affected by OA. They conclude it is feasible that cartilage and bone function as a single unit, communicating via direct mechanical and biochemical signaling. It is unclear whether signaling molecules travel between the tissues, and if so, whether this is a cause or a result of OA. Further investigation of cartilage-bone communication may inform future OA therapies.

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