Systemic and local adipose tissue in knee osteoarthritis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rheumatology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease.
• Body adipose tissue, encompassing systemic and local depots, is increasingly recognized for its role in OA development and progression.
• Different adipose tissue depots exhibit distinct associations with OA pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted roles of systemic and local adipose tissues in knee OA.
• To explore the potential mechanisms linking adipose tissue to OA.
• To highlight the emerging therapeutic potential of adipose tissue-derived stem cells for OA cartilage repair.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on adipose tissue and knee OA.
• Analysis of biomechanical, metabolic, and inflammatory factors.
• Evaluation of tissue engineering and stem cell-based therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

• Subcutaneous adipose tissue negatively correlates with muscle mass and forces, potentially impacting OA.
• Visceral adipose tissue is linked to accelerated cartilage loss and inflammation.
• Intra-muscular and infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) adipose tissue roles in OA pathogenesis are under investigation, with IPFP potentially having biphasic effects.
• Mechanisms include biomechanical, metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrotic pathways.

Conclusions:

• Systemic and local adipose tissues significantly influence knee OA.
• Adipose tissue-derived stem cells represent a promising therapeutic avenue for OA cartilage regeneration.
• Further research is crucial to elucidate the precise roles of diverse adipose depots and optimize stem cell therapies for knee OA.