like breakdown products of the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) are produced. These DAMPs go through pattern-recognition receptors on synovial macrophages, fibroblasts, or chondrocytes, leading to the production of inflammatory mediators. Inflammation causes angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, resulting in an influx of plasma proteins that can serve as DAMPs, leading to more inflammation. Chronic inflammation directly causes cartilage degradation, but it also results in the induction of proteolytic enzymes, accelerating cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis .