Coactivator Associated Arginine Methyltransferase 1 Modulates Cartilage Degeneration and Chondrocyte Apoptosis in Osteoarthritis by Regulating ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway

ABSTRACT This study investigates the role and mechanism of Coactivator Associated Arginine Methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) in osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a prevalent joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodeling, and inflammation. Our research revealed that CARM1 expression is significantly increased in the cartilage tissues of OA patients and OA model mice. Experimental results showed that inhibiting CARM1 reduces cartilage matrix degradation and chondrocyte apoptosis, while overexpression of CARM1 exacerbates these conditions. Mechanistically, CARM1 regulates OA progression through the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Inhibition of CARM1 suppresses ERK1/2 activation, thereby reducing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte apoptosis. These findings suggest that the CARM1‐ERK1/2 axis is crucial in modulating cartilage matrix metabolism and chondrocyte apoptosis in OA, highlighting CARM1 as a potential therapeutic target for OA treatment.