Moderate mechanical stress suppresses the IL‐1β‐induced chondrocyte apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial dynamics

Abstract Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to osteoarthritis (OA) onset and progress. Mitochondrial dynamics, coupled with mitophagy, is critical for the maintenance of mitochondrial fitness, involving many cellular processes, such as proliferation and apoptosis. Excessive mechanical stress induces chondrocyte apoptosis; however, the effects of mechanical stress on mitochondrial dynamics remain elusive. In this study, we performed fluorescence staining, flow cytometry, transmission electron microscope, Western blot analysis, and RNA‐sequencing to assess the effects of different strength of mechanical stimulation on mitochondrial functions of chondrocyte treated with interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). We found that moderate mechanical stress reduced the IL‐1β‐induced apoptosis by maintaining mitochondrial function and scavenging the reactive oxygen species, while excessive mechanical stress induced strong mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Moreover, RNAsequencing revealed that mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics were involved in the regulation of mechanical stress on chondrocyte biology. In addition to the elevated mitophagy, moderate mechanical stress also promoted mitochondrial dynamics by enhancing the expression of MFN1/2 and OPA1 and the translocation of dynamin‐related protein 1 from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria. However, an uncoupling of mitochondrial dynamics, characterized by strongly elevated fission, resulted in the unfavorable apoptosis of excessive mechanical stress‐stimulated chondrocytes. This study revealed the effects of mechanical stress upon mitochondrial dynamics in chondrocyte.