The Role of AIM2 Inflammasome in Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), whose prevalence keeps rising, is still unsolved pathobiological/therapeutical problem. Historically, knee osteoarthritis was thought to be a "wear and tear" disease, while recent etiology hypotheses stressed it as a chronic, low-grade inflammatory disease. Inflammasomes mediated by the innate immunity systems have an important role in inflammatory diseases including KOA. A deluge of recent studies focused on the NLRP3 inflammasome with suggestions that its pharmacologic block would hinder degeneration. However, known inflammasomes are numerous and can also trigger IL-1β/IL-18 production and cells' pyroptotic death. Among them, AIM2 inflammasome is involved in key aspects of various acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Therefore, while presently leaving out little-studied inflammasomes in KOA, this review focuses on the AIM2 inflammasomes that participate in KOA's complex mechanisms in conjunction with the activation of AIM2 inflammasomes in other diseases combined with the current studies on KOA mechanisms. Although human-specific data about it are relatively scant, we stress that only a holistic view including several inflammasomes including AIM2 inflammasome and other potential pathogenetic drivers will lead to successful therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

Quantum Molecular Resonance Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome/Nitrosative Stress and Promotes M1 to M2 Macrophage Polarization: Potential Therapeutic Effect in Osteoarthritis Model In Vitro

“…Synovial macrophages also play a key role in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is a multiprotein complex involved in the maturation and secretion of IL-1β. The activation of the inflammasome in synovial macrophages leads to further amplification of the inflammatory response in OA [33]. The use of biophysical stimulation techniques in clinical medicine has become increasingly popular as a method to promote repair and anabolic activity in tissue or to strengthen the activity of drug treatment while lessening side effects [34].…”

Roles of the Caspase-11 Non-Canonical Inflammasome in Rheumatic Diseases

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that canonical inflammasomes and the NLRP3 inflammasome are actively involved in the pathogenesis of OA and that selective targeting of canonical inflammasomes is an emerging pharmacological strategy for OA therapy [70][71][72][73][74]. Accumulating evidence has revealed that non-canonical inflammasomes are possible players in OA pathogenesis.…”

Exploring molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiological association between knee osteoarthritis and sarcopenia

“…The primary pathological feature of KOA involves the breakdown and loss of articular cartilage. Different joint tissues are impacted to different extents, including remodeling of the subchondral bone, degeneration of the meniscus, weakening and looseness of ligaments, inflammation of the infrapatellar fat pad, and inflammation of the synovial membrane [ [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] ]. Furthermore, the presence of periarticular muscle atrophy plays a significant role in the progression of KOA.…”