Research progress and prospect of MAPK signaling pathway in knee osteoarthritis

The knee joint, one of the most vulnerable joints in the human body, is susceptible to degenerative changes due to factors such as aging, obesity, trauma, inflammation, and genetic predisposition. These factors contribute to primary or secondary degeneration of knee joint cartilage and bone hyperplasia. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a prevalent condition particularly among the elderly, significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Aberrant activation of cellular signaling pathways, namely the NF-κB, MAPK, and Wnt pathways, has been identified as a key factor in the pathogenesis of KOA. These pathways contribute to inflammation, cartilage degradation, and disruption of the anabolic-catabolic balance within articular cartilage. Understanding the precise roles of these pathways is crucial for developing targeted therapies to prevent and treat knee OA. Therefore, further exploration of the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis is essential to develop more effective therapeutic strategies.