Narrative review: exosomal miRNAs from different sources in knee osteoarthritis, with exercise-regulated muscle-derived miRNAs as a proposed avenue
This narrative review of literature up to June 2026 describes exosomal miRNAs from several cell sources in knee osteoarthritis and highlights exercise-regulated, skeletal muscle-derived exosomal miRNAs as a biologically plausible but not clinically validated therapeutic avenue. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The authors searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus for relevant publications up to June 2026. [1]
Under aging or oxidative stress, senescence-associated miRNAs such as miR-34a are reported upregulated in muscle-derived exosomes and delivered systemically to joint tissues. [1]
The authors suggest muscle-derived exosomal miRNAs are a biologically plausible therapeutic avenue, though direct clinical validation remains to be established. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Narrative review (abstract)
- Population / context
- Published literature on knee osteoarthritis, exosomes and exosomal miRNAs from diverse cell sources, including skeletal muscle
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 28, 2026
Review scope: exosomal miRNAs from diverse sources in knee osteoarthritis
The authors describe knee osteoarthritis as the most prevalent degenerative joint disorder in the aging population and a leading cause of joint deformity and physical disability. They note that long-term management requires sustained pharmacological and lifestyle interventions, while advanced stages often need joint replacement surgery. The review examines exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) from diverse cellular sources in knee osteoarthritis, with particular emphasis on exercise-regulated, skeletal muscle-derived exosomal miRNAs. The authors searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus for relevant publications up to June 2026.
Supporting source [1]
Reported effects: anti-inflammatory exosomal miRNAs and cartilage repair
According to the review, recent evidence shows that exosomes from multiple cell types carry bioactive miRNAs that exert anti-inflammatory effects, facilitate cartilage repair and regulate subchondral bone remodeling in knee osteoarthritis. Most research focuses on local joint cells and stem cell derivatives, while skeletal muscle, described as the body's largest endocrine organ, remains understudied. Under aging or oxidative stress, senescence-associated miRNAs such as miR-34a are reported to be upregulated in muscle-derived exosomes and delivered systemically to joint tissues, modulating chondrocyte function and skeletal stem cell activity.
Supporting source [1]
Exercise remodeling of muscle exosomal miRNAs and remaining clinical gap
The review states that exercise dynamically remodels muscle-derived exosomal miRNA profiles, driving favorable metabolic outcomes in skeletal joints via muscle-joint crosstalk. Collectively, the authors suggest that muscle-derived exosomal miRNAs represent a biologically plausible therapeutic avenue for knee osteoarthritis. However, they explicitly note that direct clinical validation remains to be established. This is a narrative review of published literature, not a new clinical trial, and the abstract does not report patient outcomes or effect sizes.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a narrative review of published literature, not a new clinical trial. The abstract reports no patient outcomes, effect sizes or clinical validation of muscle-derived exosomal miRNAs as a therapy.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Li P, Tang S, He B. · europepmc.org · September 28, 2026