The precise role that basic calcium phosphate microcrystals have in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is controversial. The recent paper by Jin et al. provides new insights into the potential mechanisms that link these microcrystals to joint damage, and highlights the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of OA.
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Acknowledgements
Funding support from Fonds National Suisse de la recherche (FN 310,030-130,085 to A. So and N. Busso), the Loterie romande and the IAR association (to A. So).
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So, A., Busso, N. Crystal-gazing into the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 7, 688–689 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2011.165
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2011.165