Mechanical Loading Promotes the Migration of Endogenous Stem Cells and Chondrogenic Differentiation in a Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis

Advancements in tissue engineering for articular cartilage regeneration

“…Researchers have developed mechanobiological devices that provide mechanical stimulation to mimic this loading. Li et al [ 195 ] developed a knee joint loading device that promoted the migration and chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs, leading to cartilage defect repair. Ouyang et al [ 196 ] demonstrated that appropriate cyclic sinusoidal dynamic stretching improved the proliferative capacity and cartilage phenotype of chondrocytes through coculturing with MSCs.…”

The emerging role of Piezo1 in the musculoskeletal system and disease

“…TRPV4 mainly senses physiologic stimulation in cartilage, and Piezo channels mediate excessive mechanical loading 107 . Mechanical loading influences chondrocyte death 106 , 108 and recruits more stem cells, contributing to cartilage repair via the Piezo-mediated pathway 109 . Nevertheless, excessive mechanical loading induces Ca 2+ influx with increased Piezo1 level, resulting in chondrocytes apoptosis 110 and senescence 111 .…”

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis: A review of pathogenic mechanisms and novel targets for mitigation

“…However, at 8 weeks post-injury, only the chondrocytes isolated from the bilateral ACL-t groups had elevated apoptosis/necrosis to loading compared to controls ( Kotelsky et al, 2022 ). In contrast to these reports, Li et al ( Li et al, 2022 ) investigated the role of regimented loading of the knee after ACL-t in a murine model and showed that mechanical loading was chondroprotective. Mechanical loading increased expression of the mechanoreceptor Piezo1 in ACL-t knees to control levels which aided in recruitment of stem cells to areas of damaged articular cartilage as well as promoted the expression of the chondrogenic differentiation marker SOX9 ( Li et al, 2022 ).…”

“…In contrast to these reports, Li et al ( Li et al, 2022 ) investigated the role of regimented loading of the knee after ACL-t in a murine model and showed that mechanical loading was chondroprotective. Mechanical loading increased expression of the mechanoreceptor Piezo1 in ACL-t knees to control levels which aided in recruitment of stem cells to areas of damaged articular cartilage as well as promoted the expression of the chondrogenic differentiation marker SOX9 ( Li et al, 2022 ). Aberrant mechanical loading following trauma also elicits changes in the synovium, as discussed below, by triggering inflammatory responses by synoviocytes and resulting in synovial tissue hyperplasia, immune cell infiltration and joint inflammation.…”