mRNA-Based Therapies for Cartilage Regeneration: A Literature Review

Cartilage injuries remain a major challenge due to the avascular nature of cartilage and its limited regenerative capacity. Emerging evidence suggests that recent advances in mRNA-based therapeutics allow localized and transient expression of proteins relevant to cartilage repair. This literature review synthesizes current knowledge on mRNA delivery platforms, highlights key molecular targets such as SOX9 and FGF18 demonstrated in preclinical models, and summarizes emerging translational insights. While preclinical studies indicate meaningful potential for mRNA-based approaches in enhancing cartilage regeneration, substantial challenges—including delivery efficiency, stability within the joint environment, and regulatory complexity—must be addressed to ensure clinical applicability.