Validated serum osteoarthritis biomarkers and their associated pathological process
| Biological marker name | Pathological mechanisms or associations |
| Type II collagen pro-peptide (CPII) | Cartilage turnover and synthesis |
| Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) | Cartilage breakdown, osteophyte development, disease progression |
| C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type II (CTX-II) | Collagen type II degradation, cartilage calcification, bone resorption and osteophyte development |
| Fragment of type III collagen degradation (C3M) | Radiographic changes, positive associations with weight loss and exercise |
| Serum fragment of aggrecan (ARGS) | Disease severity, response to exercise |
| Hyaluronic acid (HA) | Osteophyte development, synovitis |
| Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) | Proteolytic enzyme, collagen degradation, remodelling |
| Interleukin 6 (IL-6) | Proinflammatory cytokine, inflammatory mediator |
| Metabolites of C-reactive protein (CRPM) | Inflammatory derivative, radiographic changes, function, positive associations with weight loss and exercise |
| Leptin | Proinflammatory influence, disease severity, mediates obesity and osteoarthritis association |