Tensile stress promotes the chondrogenic ability of condylar cartilage stem/progenitor cells in the temporomandibular joint via the Piezo1-Ca2+-Prkca pathway

We uncovered that tensile stress could cause a transient shrinkage of the CSPCs pool in condylar cartilage, resulting from the accelerated chondrogenesis of CSPCs. Tensile force could promote the chondrogenic ability of CSPCs via the Piezo1-Ca²⁺-Prkca pathway. This study suggested a new regulatory route for mandibular growth modification in orthodontic practice.