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Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Labeling of Extracellular Vesicles for Monitoring Migration and Uptake in Cartilage Explants
Published on: October 4, 2021
Articular cartilage vesicles and calcium crystal deposition diseases
1aDivision of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin bZablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
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.
Recent Findings:
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.
Summary:
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.
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