Innovations in aggregation-induced emission materials for theranostics in the musculoskeletal system

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) offers a promising solution for achieving lower background and more reliable signals in biomedical imaging. AIE materials also exhibiting photostability and resistance to photobleaching. These characters are crucial for monitoring musculoskeletal functions and offering targeted therapies for related diseases. This review compiles research on AIEgens targeting various molecules, cells, or tissues within the musculoskeletal system under physiological or pathological conditions and classifies them according to different clinical applications. A sort of AIEgens is applied in monitoring osteogenic differentiation and bone component analysis. Additionally, AIEgens targeting intra-articular inflammatory or rheumatic related molecules, such as reactive oxygen species, enable early-stage diagnosis and targeted therapies of arthritis. Researchers have also developed novel materials containing AIEgens for joint tissue repair. This review highlights the advantages of these applications while also exploring future demands and development directions in musculoskeletal system imaging and treatment, aiming to promote further design of AIEgens and their clinical applications in musculoskeletal diseases.