Chondromodulin (CNMD) is a bifunctional growth regulator with distinct roles in cartilage maintenance and vascular control. In cartilage tissue, CNMD promotes chondrocyte proliferation and maintains cartilage homeostasis 1, while simultaneously suppressing angiogenesis to preserve cartilage's avascular nature 1. CNMD expression is enriched in pluripotent stem cells and cartilaginous tissues 2. Mechanistically, CNMD contributes to endochondral bone development by inhibiting vascular endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation, thereby preventing premature vascularization during cartilage-to-bone replacement 1. In joint pathology, CNMD downregulation correlates with osteoarthritis (OA) severity, positioning it as a potential therapeutic target for OA management 1. During intervertebral disc degeneration, increased CNMD expression in nucleus pulposus cells is associated with enhanced chondrogenic matrix remodeling and reduced fibrosis 3. This dual functionality—stimulating chondrocyte growth while inhibiting pathological neovascularization—makes CNMD critical for maintaining healthy cartilage structure and function across multiple skeletal tissues.