Emerging roles of long noncoding RNA in chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent age-related debilitating joint disease, and is characterized primarily by articular cartilage degradation and subchondral bone lesions. It is also the leading cause of chronic morbidity in older populations. The etiology of OA is multifactorial, with the underlying regulatory mechanisms remaining largely unknown. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is a group of noncoding RNAs defined as being >200 nucleotides in length. Increasing evidence demonstrates that many lncRNAs serve as critical regulators of chondrogenesis and bone and cartilage homeostasis, thereby influencing OA development. In this review, we highlight the current understanding concerning lncRNAs, including their physical features, biological functions, and potential roles in chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and OA. This information may shed new light on the epigenetic regulation of cartilage and substantiate lncRNAs as novel therapeutic targets in OA.