Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that is characterized primarily by progressive breakdown of articular cartilage. The loss of proteoglycans, the mineralization of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the hypertrophic differentiation of the chondrocytes constitute hallmarks of the disease. The pathogenesis of OA includes several pathways, which in single are very well investigated and partly understood, but in their complex interplay remain mainly unclear. This review summarises recent data on the underlying mechanisms, specifically with respect to cell-matrix interactions and cartilage mineralization. It points out why these findings are of importance for future OA research and for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat OA.
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