Articular cartilage vesicles and calcium crystal deposition diseases
Abstract
Articular cartilage vesicles (ACVs) are small extracellular vesicles that serve as foci of pathologic calcium crystal deposition in articular cartilage matrix. In this review, I have summarized the role of ACVs in calcium crystal formation and discuss recent findings that impact our understanding of the content, behavior, and origin of ACVs in healthy and diseased joints. The burgeoning interest in extracellular vesicles in other fields renders this a timely and relevant topic. I have highlighted recent studies demonstrating that some ACVs originate in the autophagic pathway in healthy articular chondrocytes. I have reviewed accumulating evidence that nonmineralizing functions of ACVs contribute to osteoarthritis. I have also discussed new work supporting a role for extracellular vesicles in interleukin-1β-induced mineralization and in mediating the catabolic effects of synovial inflammation in osteoarthritis. We are making slow and steady progress in understanding the origin and function of ACVs and other relevant extracellular vesicles in arthritis. Further work in this interesting area is warranted.
References
Citations
Methods Mentioned
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Autophagy & Model Organisms
Autophagy is a cellular process that allows degradation by the lysosome of cytoplasmic components such as proteins or organelles. Here is the latest research on autophagy & model organisms
Autophagy & Disease
Autophagy is an important cellular process for normal physiology and both elevated and decreased levels of autophagy are associated with disease. Here is the latest research.