Knee adipose tissue: from its implication in osteoarthritis to its supposed role in tissue engineering.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) has long been considered as a cartilage disease. However, it is now well established that cartilage defects are the ultimate OA feature only. Several studies investigating the mechanisms of OA onset/progression have recognized the as an active OA-player but also as a possible source of stem cells with regenerative potential for cartilage. Is it really like that? a cautious approach should be adopted.