The mechanisms underlying the effect of obesity on tissue macrophage activity and the cellular microenvironment in osteoarthritis
F.F. Vakilov, S.V. Piatnitskaia, V.S. Shchekin, R.R. Yakupov, R.R. Gizatullina, A.V. Tyurin
ABSTRACT. Osteoarthritis (OA) was previously considered primarily a degenerative disease associated with joint “wear and tear.” Nevertheless, recent studies indicate that chronic, low-grade inflammation is a central factor in its development. The aim of this review is to characterize the morphology of inflammation in OA, focusing on macrophage polarization mechanisms and the role of obesity. A literature review of the last 5 years was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, and eLibrary databases. The analysis focused on pathogenetic mechanisms of joint damage, macrophage polarization, and obesity’s impact on disease progression. The results of the analysis allow us to conclude that the morphology of inflammation in OA reflects a complex network of cellular interactions, in which macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role, and obesity serves as one of the factors precipitating this process.
For citation: Vakilov FF, Piatnitskaia SV, Shchekin VS, Yakupov RR, Gizatullina RR, Tyurin AV. The mechanisms underlying the effect of obesity on tissue macrophage activity and the cellular microenvironment in osteoarthritis. Therapy (Moscow). 2026;12(5S):124–131.
https://doi.org/10.18565/therapy.2026.5-s5.124-131
Ключевые слова
osteoarthritis
inflammation
obesity
macrophage polarization
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Об авторах / Для корреспонденции
Fidan F. Vakilov, MD, clinical resident of the Department of internal medicine and clinical psychology, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation.E-mail: fidanvakilov2001@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8273-6905. eLibrary SPIN: 9386-4009
Svetlana V. Piatnitskaia, MD, PhD (Medicine), head of the bioprinting laboratory at the Institute of Fundamental Medicine, associate professor of the Department of internal medicine and clinical psychology, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation.
E-mail: pyatnickaya27@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4317-8146. Scopus ID: 58857386300. eLibrary SPIN: 5320-2030
Vlas S. Shchekin, MD, PhD (Medicine), head of the morphology laboratory at the Institute of Fundamental Medicine, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation.
E-mail: vlas-s@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2202-7071. Scopus ID: 57831114200. eLibrary SPIN: 7796-0630
Rasul R. Yakupov, MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), professor of the Department of traumatology and orthopedics, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation.
E-mail: Rasulr@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7650-1926. Scopus ID: 57188651080. eLibrary SPIN: 2101-3088
Regina R. Gizatullina, MD, assistant at the Department of internal medicine and clinical psychology, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation.
E-mail: rina-sharipova@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1849-0469. Scopus ID: 60213236200. eLibrary SPIN: 2439-2944
Anton V. Tyurin, MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), associate professor, head of the Department of internal medicine and clinical psychology, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation.
E-mail: anton.bgmu@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0841-3024. Scopus ID: 57195130662. eLibrary SPIN: 5046-3704
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