Mechanism and means of exosomes in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a chronic and degenerative disease for which effective early diagnosis and treatment have not been established. Exosomes represent a useful value in the clinical trial phase of OA. This article discusses the relationship between different sources of exosomes and the pathogenesis of OA, and describes the characteristics of exosomes and their application in the diagnosis and treatment of OA. Exosomes may be directly involved in antigen presentation, interact with the endogenous immune system to regulate immune function, or influence cellular function through their miRNAs; T cell-derived exosomes may inhibit the activity of other T cells and prevent excessive inflammation. Apoptosis of chondrocytes leads to proliferation and hypertrophy of articular cartilage, which accelerates the development of osteoarthritis. Exosomes are biomarkers and can be used as diagnostic tools for early diagnosis of OA. Therapeutically, exosomes contain miRNAs that can be used as regulatory targets for drug delivery to treat OA, and exosomes can be injected into the joint cavi.