Reduced cartilage matrix stiffness in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis impairs the functions of superficial zone chondrocytes via downregulation of CREB5-PLPP3 signaling
Yeke Yu·Zhiyuan Zhang·Lu Zou·Chuan Lu·Jieyun Zhao·Chuandong Wang·Dongmei He·Yifan Zhang·Huimin Zhu·Xiaoyu Zhang·Dongsheng Wen
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays critical roles in the movement of mandible. TMJ osteoarthritis (TMJOA) leads to pain and limited jaw function. Histologically, TMJOA causes cartilage degradation and a reduction in extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness. The superficial zone chondrocytes (SZC) contribute in the regeneration of the condylar fibrocartilage in TMJ, while their responses to the softened ECM remains unclear. Here, we showed that the ECM stiffness was decreased in the superficial zone