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Updated: May 23, 2026

Establishment and Evaluation of a Sheep Model of Full-thickness Osteochondral Defect
Published on: April 14, 2026
Effects of aging on articular cartilage homeostasis
Martin Lotz1, Richard F Loeser
1Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. mlotz@scripps.edu
Abstract:
This review is focused on aging-related changes in cells and extracellular matrix of the articular cartilage. Major extracellular matrix changes are a reduced thickness of cartilage, proteolysis, advanced glycation and calcification. The cellular changes include reduced cell density, cellular senescence with abnormal secretory profiles, and impaired cellular defense mechanisms and anabolic responses. The extracellular and cellular changes compound each other, leading to biomechanical dysfunction and tissue destruction. The consequences of aging-related changes for joint homeostasis and risk for osteoarthritis are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Osteoarthritis".
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