Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

Standardized Histomorphometric Evaluation of Osteoarthritis in a Surgical Mouse Model
Published on: May 6, 2020
Aging processes and the development of osteoarthritis
1Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. rloeser@wakehealth.edu
Aging significantly contributes to osteoarthritis (OA) development. Recent research highlights age-related changes in multiple joint tissues and cellular processes like senescence and epigenetics, expanding beyond just cartilage.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rheumatology
- Osteoarthritis Research
Background:
- Aging is a primary risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA).
- Understanding the aging process's contribution to OA is crucial for research.
- Recent literature review updates the status of this research field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the most recent literature on aging processes contributing to osteoarthritis.
- To update investigators on the current state of research in this area.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications.
- Analysis of studies focusing on aging and osteoarthritis.
Main Results:
- Research is expanding beyond cartilage to include ligaments, meniscus, and bone in OA studies.
- Age-related changes in animal models (mice, rats) contribute to OA.
- Cellular senescence and epigenetic regulation are increasingly recognized in aging and OA.
- Synovitis's role in OA is noted but not yet a focus of aging studies.
Conclusions:
- While not all OA is age-related, aging processes in joint tissues play a significant role.
- Continued research into age-related changes is vital for understanding and potentially treating OA.
Related Concept Videos
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Development of the Limb Synovial Joints
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...