Advance of the Role of Exosomal miRNA-mediated Cell-to-cell Communication in Bone and Cartilage Tissue Diseases

OBJECTIVE As an important carrier of transmitting information between cells, exosomes have great significance on the pathogenesis of orthopedic diseases. This article summarizes the role and mechanisms of intercellular communication mediated by exosomal miRNA of functional cells in bone and cartilage tissue, which were expected to provide references for the treatments of orthopedic diseases. METHODS By searching CNKI, Weipu and PubMed database according to the search terms which is “exosomes” “osteoblasts” “osteoclasts” “chondrocytes” “miRNA” “osteoporosis” “osteoarthritis”, analyze relevant literatures and summarize the mechanisms of miRNA-mediated intercellular communication in osteoclast, osteoblast or chondrocyte exosomes in bone and cartilage related diseases. RESULTS Exosomal miRNA can be used to explain disease mechanisms of bone and cartilage tissue, as disease biomarkers, and involved in targeted drug delivery, etc. CONCLUSION Exosomal miRNA, transmitting information between cells, provides a new idea for the treatments of bone and cartilage tissue diseases.