Perspectives of exosomal ncRNAs in the treatment of bone metabolic diseases: Focusing on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Bone metabolic disorders, constituting a group of prevalent and grave conditions, currently have a scarcity of therapeutic alternatives. Over the recent past, exosomes have been at the forefront of research interest, owing to their nanoparticulate nature and potential for therapeutic intervention. ncRNAs are a class of heterogeneous transcripts that they lack protein-encoding capacity, yet they can modulate the expression of other genes through multiple mechanisms. Mounting evidence underscores the intricate role of exosomes as ncRNAs couriers implicated in the pathogenesis of bone metabolic disorders. In this review, we endeavor to elucidate recent insights into the roles of three ncRNAs – miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs – in bone metabolic ailments such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, we examine the viability of exosomal ncRNAs as innovative, cell-free modalities in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of bone metabolic disorders. We aim to uncover the critical function of exosomal ncRNAs within the context of bone metabolic diseases.