Osteoarthritis as a disease of the cartilage pericellular matrix

• Published in: Matrix biology Vol. 71-72; pp. 40 - 50
• Main Authors: Guilak, Farshid, Nims, Robert J., Dicks, Amanda, Wu, Chia-Lung, Meulenbelt, Ingrid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-10-2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Aggrecan; Arthritis; Cartilage (articular); Cartilage diseases; Cartilage, Articular - metabolism; Cartilage, Articular - pathology; Chondrocyte; Chondrocytes; Chondrocytes - metabolism; Chondrocytes - pathology; Chondron; Decorin; Degeneration; Epigenesis, Genetic; Extracellular matrix; Extracellular Matrix - genetics; Extracellular Matrix - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix - pathology; Humans; Intervertebral disc; Joint and ligament injuries; Mechanobiology; Mechanotransduction; Medical treatment; Meniscus; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis - genetics; Osteoarthritis - metabolism; Osteoarthritis - pathology; Pathogenesis; Perlecan; Structure-function relationships; Subchondral bone; Synovium; Territorial matrix; Type VI collagen; Decorin; Meniscus; Chondrocyte; Type VI collagen; Perlecan; Mechanobiology; Chondron; Territorial matrix; Intervertebral disc; Extracellular matrix; Mechanotransduction; Aggrecan; Osteoarthritis
• ISSN: 0945-053X; 1569-1802
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.05.008

Osteoarthritis is a painful joint disease characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage as well as associated changes to the subchondral bone, synovium, and surrounding joint tissues. While the effects of osteoarthritis on the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) have been well recognized, it is now becoming apparent that in many cases, the onset of the disease may be initially reflected in the matrix region immediately surrounding the chondrocytes, termed the pericellular matrix (PCM). Growing evidence suggests that the PCM – which along with the enclosed chondrocytes are termed the “chondron” – acts as a critical transducer or “filter” of biochemical and biomechanical signals for the chondrocyte, serving to help regulate the homeostatic balance of chondrocyte metabolic activity in response to environmental signals. Indeed, it appears that alterations in PCM properties and cell-matrix interactions, secondary to genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, or biomechanical stimuli, could in fact serve as initiating or progressive factors for osteoarthritis. Here, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the role of the PCM, with an emphasis on the reciprocity of changes that occur in this matrix region with disease, as well as how alterations in PCM properties could serve as a driver of ECM-based diseases such as osteoarthritis. Further study of the structure, function, and composition of the PCM in normal and diseased conditions may provide new insights into the understanding of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, and presumably new therapeutic approaches for this disease.
•The PCM surrounds all chondrocytes in articular cartilage and regulates their interactions with the environment.•Alterations in PCM properties and composition will influence the chondrocyte's mechanobiologic response to loading.•Some of the earliest biosynthetic and degradative changes in osteoarthritis may initially manifest in the PCM.•Here we review the potential role of PCM pathology as a potential driver, as well as indicator, of osteoarthritis.