Breakthrough of extracellular vesicles in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis

• Published in: Bioactive materials 2023-04, Vol.22, p.423-452
• Main Authors: Liu, Zichang, Zhuang, Yu, Fang, Lianfei, Yuan, Changyong, Wang, Xudong, Lin, Kaili
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Diagnosis; Extracellular vesicles; Osteoarthritis; Review; Treatment
• ISSN: 2452-199X; 2452-199X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.10.012

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent whole-joint disease that causes disability and pain and affects a patient's quality of life. However, currently, there is a lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment. Although stem cells can promote cartilage repair and treat OA, problems such as immune rejection and tumorigenicity persist. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can transmit genetic information from donor cells and mediate intercellular communication, which is considered a functional paracrine factor of stem cells. Increasing evidences suggest that EVs may play an essential and complex role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of OA. Here, we introduced the role of EVs in OA progression by influencing inflammation, metabolism, and aging. Next, we discussed EVs from the blood, synovial fluid, and joint-related cells for diagnosis. Moreover, we outlined the potential of modified and unmodified EVs and their combination with biomaterials for OA therapy. Finally, we discuss the deficiencies and put forward the prospects and challenges related to the application of EVs in the field of OA. This review provides an overview highlighting the breakthrough of extracellular vesicles in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoarthritis. [Display omitted] •The influence of extracellular vesicles on osteoarthritis progression through inflammation, senescence, and metabolism are discussed.•Extracellular vesicles from different sources have values of different dimensions in diagnosis, such asdiagnostic, monitoring, and predictive values.•The roles of extracellular vesicles from different sources and in different ways of engineering/modification are summarized.•The strategies for designing more intelligent and multifunctional extracellular vesicles are proposed.