IL6 and osteoarthritis: IL‐1β treatment in chondrocytes promotes matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production, and upregulates inflammatory regulators, including pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐6, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide, which have been shown to aggravate ECM degradation and cartilage degeneration.3, 4 Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress are involved in osteoarthritis progression by causing structural damages to cartilage as well as regulating the inflammatory responses of the synovium.5