Adenosine is required to maintain cartilage and chondrocyte homeostasis

What is it about?

Adenosine, acting at A2A receptors, is made by chondrocytes and acts, in an autocrine fashion, to inhibit chondrocyte-mediated destruction of cartilage. With age and inflammation the cellular source of adenosine, ATP, declines leading to diminished extracellular adenosine and enhanced chondrocyte-mediated cartilage degeneration.

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Why is it important?

This work is important because it establishes adenosine as a mediator of cartilage maintenance. Moreover, the work indicates that adenosine, acting at A2A receptors, can diminish progression of osteoarthritis following trauma to the knee.