Morphology, mechanisms and pathology of musculoskeletal ageing

2007/01/01 by AJ Freemont, Anthony J. Freemont, JA Hoyland · 130 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Adipose Tissue and Metabolism #Ageing #Biology #Connective tissue #Endocrinology #Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research #Gerontology #Hormone #Immunology #Inflammation #Internal medicine #Matrix metalloproteinase #Medicine #Muscle Physiology and Disorders #Osteoarthritis #Osteoporosis #Pathological #Pathology #Physiology #Sarcopenia #Senescence

paper · pdf · doi:10.1002/path.2097

published in The Journal of Pathology 211(2), 252-259

openalex publication_date 2007/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

In general terms, the recognized alterations in circulating humoral factors (hormones, cytokines, growth factors) that occur in ageing, coupled with innate cellular senescence exaggerated by the slow turnover of many connective tissue cell populations and the age-associated alterations in matrix molecule cross-linking, predispose the elderly to altered connective tissue biology. These changes can be profound, leading to poor mobility, altered ability to withstand cold, weakness and an increased risk of falls, fractures and age-associated 'degenerative' diseases, such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. As understanding of the causes of altered connective tissue function with age increases, it is becoming clearer that many of the predisposing factors (growth hormone, cytokines, load/life style) are potential targets for improving quality of life in the elderly.

Cited by

• Topological shape transform for thymus structures
• The diagnostic power of gross examination in bone and soft tissue pathology
• Does senescence give rise to disease? [europepmc]
• A comprehensive review of health benefits of qigong and tai chi. [europepmc]
• Collagen concentration and biomechanical properties of samples from the lower uterine cervix in relation to age and parity in non-pregnant women. [europepmc]
• Antagonistic pleiotropy as a widespread mechanism for the maintenance of polymorphic disease alleles. [europepmc]
• Nucleus pulposus degeneration alters properties of resident progenitor cells. [europepmc]
• Glycation cross-linking induced mechanical-enzymatic cleavage of microscale tendon fibers. [europepmc]
• Joint dysfunction and functional decline in middle age myostatin null mice. [europepmc]
• Recovery from volumetric muscle loss injury: A comparison between young and aged rats. [europepmc]
• Knee Cartilage Thickness, T1ρ and T2 Relaxation Time Are Related to Articular Cartilage Loading in Healthy Adults. [europepmc]
• Proteomics of Skeletal Muscle: Focus on Insulin Resistance and Exercise Biology. [europepmc]
• Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Family Caregivers of Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors in Nigeria. [europepmc]
• To help aging populations, classify organismal senescence. [europepmc]
• The Role of Hypertension in Cartilage Restoration: Increased Failure Rate After Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation but Not After Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation. [europepmc]
• Shoulder range of movement in the general population: age and gender stratified normative data using a community-based cohort. [europepmc]
• Potential of Soluble Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering - Comparison of Various Mesenchymal Tissues. [europepmc]
• Role of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Prognosis Dental Implants: A Retrospective Study. [europepmc]
• Discrepancy in the Responsiveness to Hip Range of Motion Between Harris and Oxford Hip Scores. [europepmc]
• Motor Unit Fatigability following Chronic Carnosine Supplementation in Aged Rats. [europepmc]
• Molecular Mechanisms of Changes in Homeostasis of the Dermal Extracellular Matrix: Both Involutional and Mediated by Ultraviolet Radiation. [europepmc]
• mtDNA variability determines spontaneous joint aging damage in a conplastic mouse model. [europepmc]
• Musculoskeletal Disorder Burden and Its Attributable Risk Factors in China: Estimates and Predicts from 1990 to 2044. [europepmc]
• Characteristics of Postoperative Patients with Breast Cancer Aged 65 Years and Older. [europepmc]
• Differential Effects of Endurance Exercise on Musculoskeletal and Hematopoietic Modulation in Old Mice. [europepmc]
• Aging disrupts spatiotemporal regulation of germline stem cells and niche integrity. [europepmc]
• Prevalence and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among shopkeepers in Ethiopia: Evidence from a workplace cross-sectional study. [europepmc]

Related

• Aging human body: changes in bone, muscle and body fat with consequent changes in nutrient intake
• Determinants of Muscle and Bone Aging
• Aging and aging-related diseases: from molecular mechanisms to interventions and treatments
• Fracture Healing in the Setting of Endocrine Diseases, Aging, and Cellular Senescence
• Hallmarks of ageing in human skeletal muscle and implications for understanding the pathophysiology of sarcopenia in women and men