B cells in osteoarthritis: simply a sign or a target for therapy?

Unravelling the ties that bind: The intersection of obesity, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory pathways with emphasis on glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists

This narrative review article explores the complex interplay between obesity, osteoarthritis, and their associated inflammatory cascades, offering a deeper understanding of the underlying of mechanisms of inflammation and potential therapeutic interventions targeting both diseases. Through examination of the shared inflammatory pathway of obesity and osteoarthritis, our objective is to directly elucidate the relationship between these two conditions, highlighting the promising role of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists in modulating inflammation and its therapeutic implications for patients with obesity and osteoarthritis.

Lymphatic vessels: roles and potential therapeutic intervention in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Lymphatic vessel networks are a main part of the vertebrate cardiovascular system, which participate in various physiological and pathological processes via regulation of fluid transport and immunosurveillance. Targeting lymphatic vessels has become a potent strategy for treating various human diseases. The presence of varying degrees of inflammation in joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), characterized by heightened infiltration of inflammatory cells, increased levels of inflammatory factors, and activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, significantly contributes to the disruption of cartilage and bone homeostasis in arthritic conditions. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the pivotal role of lymphatic vessels in maintaining joint homeostasis, with their pathological alterations closely associated with the initiation and progression of inflammatory joint diseases. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving knowledge regarding the structural and functional aspects of lymphatic vessels in the pathogenesis of RA and OA. In addition, we summarized the potential regulatory mechanisms underlying the modulation of lymphatic function in maintaining joint homeostasis during inflammatory conditions, and further discuss the distinctions between RA and OA. Moreover, we describe therapeutic strategies for inflammatory arthritis based on lymphatic vessels, including the promotion of lymphangiogenesis, restoration of proper lymphatic vessel function through anti-inflammatory approaches, enhancement of lymphatic contractility and drainage, and alleviation of congestion within the lymphatic system through the elimination of inflammatory cells. At last, we envisage potential research perspectives and strategies to target lymphatic vessels in treating these inflammatory joint diseases.