Circadian Clock: Potential Role in Cartilage Integrity and Disruption

Abstract

Circadian rhythms and clocks driven by light/dark cycles over a 24-hour period control many bodily functions. Likewise peripheral clocks generate circadian cycles, and at the cellular level circadian clock genes are involved in tissue specific functions. This report highlights articular cartilage clock genes and how their dysfunction may be implicated in osteoarthritis. To address the question of whether disruptions in cartilage clock genes are possible risk factors for osteoarthritis, research studies were examined and heir conclusions noted. While more work is needed the role of cartilage clock genes and their interaction with local cartilage tissue metabolic processes in human subjects should prove highly insightful.