Table 2.

Questions on the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis

1. The joint is a biomechanical organ. How do genetic, biochemical and biomechanical factors contribute to the varied pathogenic processes that lead to OA?

2. What different pathogenic processes contribute to the heterogeneity of OA and its progression and how do these processes result in different cartilage responses in different patients?

3. What are the signals that drive similar changes in OA chondrocytes in both damaged (loaded) and intact (unloaded) cartilage on an OA joint?

4. Do epigenetic changes occur in OA chondrocytes from loaded and unloaded sites and are they reversible?