The emerging role of lncRNAs in osteoarthritis development and potential therapy

Front Genet. 2023 Sep 14:14:1273933. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1273933. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis impairs the functions of various joints, such as knees, hips, hands and spine, which causes pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced mobility in joints. Multiple factors, including age, joint injuries, obesity, and mechanical stress, could contribute to osteoarthritis development and progression. Evidence has demonstrated that genetics and epigenetics play a critical role in osteoarthritis initiation and progression. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been revealed to participate in osteoarthritis development. In this review, we describe the pivotal functions and molecular mechanisms of numerous lncRNAs in osteoarthritis progression. We mention that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) could be biomarkers for osteoarthritis diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic targets. Moreover, we highlight the several compounds that alleviate osteoarthritis progression in part via targeting lncRNAs. Furthermore, we provide the future perspectives regarding the potential application of lncRNAs in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of osteoarthritis.

Keywords: biomarkers; lncRNA; noncoding RNA; osteoarthritis; treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.