The Effects of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide on Cartilage in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common age-related joint disease, which affects articular cartilage and joint structures, causing severe pain and disability. Owing to limited understanding of the underlying disease pathogenesis, there are currently no disease-modifying drugs for OA. Recent studies have demonstrated that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays an important role in OA synovial inflammation. Here, we first provide a fundamental basis for the physiological and pathological effects of CGRP in cartilage. Then we summarize current evidence of CGRP's roles in OA-affected tissues. We then focus on the potential innovative strategies for targeting CGRP to enhance cartilage regeneration. Further research into CGRP's role in OA may have broader implications in the understanding of OA pathogenesis, the standardization of biomarker detection, and the development of novel therapeutic routes for the prevention and management of OA.