Irisin in degenerative musculoskeletal diseases: Functions in system and potential in therapy
Yutong Wang, Shengyuan Zheng, Shide Jiang, Yan Luo, Yuxiang Wu, Shinen Naranmandakh, Yusheng Li, Shuguang Liu, Wenfeng Xiao
Abstract
Degenerative musculoskeletal diseases are a class of diseases related to the gradual structural and functional deterioration of muscles, joints, and bones, including osteoarthritis (OA), osteoporosis (OP), sarcopenia (SP), and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). As the proportion of aging people around the world increases, degenerative musculoskeletal diseases not only have a multifaceted impact on patients, but also impose a huge burden on the medical industry in various countries. Therefore, it is crucial to find key regulatory factors and potential therapeutic targets. Recent studies have shown that irisin plays an important role in degenerative musculoskeletal diseases, suggesting that it may become a key molecule in the prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive description of the release and basic functions of irisin, and summarizes the role of irisin in OA, OP, SP, and IDD from a cellular and tissue perspective, providing comprehensive basis for clinical application. In addition, we summarized the many roles of irisin as a key information molecule in bone-muscle-adipose crosstalk and a regulatory molecule involved in inflammation, senescence, and cell death, and proposed the interesting possibility of irisin in degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. • Osteoarthritis, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and intervertebral disc degeneration are all age-related degenerative musculoskeletal diseases that pose a huge health burden to middle-aged and elderly people worldwide. • Irisin plays an important role in osteoarthritis, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and intervertebral disc degeneration. • Irisin serves as a key messaging molecule in bone-muscle-fat crosstalk and is involved in inflammation and aging. • Exercise-produced irisin and recombinant irisin are expected to become safe and effective treatments for degenerative musculoskeletal diseases.