Csaba Matta, Róza Zákány
1Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Centre, Nagyerdei krt.
98, Debrecen, Hungary, H-4032

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (comprised more than 100 conditions, including various rheumatic, arthritic and joint diseases) is constantly increasing owing to unfavorable changes in the population of developed countries, exerting an ever-growing burden on healthcare systems around the globe (1). Osteoarthritis (OA), characterized by inflammation and breakdown of the shock-absorbing articular cartilage within the joint, is the most common form of chronic musculoskeletal disorders. However, no effective or curative treatment is available for OA. Therefore, there is a pressing socio-economic need for the development of novel and innovative therapeutic strategies to preserve or regenerate the natural articular cartilage and its underlying bone. During the last decade, with an increase in our knowledge about the molecular and biological characteristics of embryonic or adult pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells, their applicability in regenerative medicine has emerged. However, regeneration of proper articular cartilage is still a challenge, mainly due to the fact that albeit extensive research has been conducted in this field over the last 50 years, our current knowledge of the molecular steps and precise regulation of chondrogenesis is far from being complete.

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