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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.06.04.447121

Joint degeneration in a mouse model of pseudoachondroplasia: ER stress, inflammation and autophagy blockage

Hecht, J. T.·Veerisetty, A. C.·Hossain, M. G.·Patra, D.·Chiu, F.·Coustry, F.·Posey, K. L.
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Abstract

Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH), a short limb skeletal dysplasia, associated with premature joint degeneration is caused by misfolding mutations in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). Here, we define mutant-COMP-induced stress mechanisms that occur in articular chondrocytes of MT-COMP mice, a murine model of PSACH. The accumulation of mutant-COMP in the ER occurred early in MT-COMP articular chondrocytes and stimulated inflammation (TNF) at 4 wks. Articular chondrocyte death increased at 8 wks and ER stress through CHOP was elevated by 12 wks. Importantly, blockage of autophagy (pS6), the major mechanism which clears the ER, sustained cellular stress in MT-COMP articular chondrocytes. Degeneration of MT-COMP articular cartilage was similar to that observed in PSACH and was associated with increased MMPs, degradative enzymes. Moreover, chronic cellular stresses stimulated senescence. Senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) may play a role in generating and propagating a pro-degradative environment in the MT-COMP murine joint. The loss of CHOP or resveratrol treatment from birth preserved joint health in MT-COMP mice. Taken together, these results indicate that ER stress/CHOP signaling and autophagy blockage are central to mutant-COMP joint degeneration and MT-COMP mice joint health can be preserved by decreasing articular chondrocyte stress. Future joint sparing therapeutics for PSACH may include resveratrol.

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Hecht, J. T., Veerisetty, A. C., Hossain, M. G., Patra, D., Chiu, F., Coustry, F., Posey, K. L.. 2021-06-04. Joint degeneration in a mouse model of pseudoachondroplasia: ER stress, inflammation and autophagy blockage. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.06.04.447121

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