Liproxstatin‐1 alleviates cartilage degradation by inhibiting chondrocyte ferroptosis in the temporomandibular joint

Abstract Bground Information Ferroptosis contributes to temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) lesion development and is still poorly understood. Results In this study, we used different TMJOA animal models to examine whether ferroptosis was related to disease onset in TMJOA induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA), IL‐1β, occlusion disorder (OD), and unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC). Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis were used to detect ferroptosis‐ and cartilage degradation‐related protein expression. Our results revealed reduced levels of the ferroptosis‐related protein GPX4 in the cartilage layer, but the levels of ACSL4 and P53 were increased in the condyle. Injection of the ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin‐1 (Lip‐1) effectively decreased ACSL4, P53 and TRF expression. In vitro, IL‐1β reduced cartilage extracellular matrix expression in mandibular condylar chondrocytes (MCCs). Lip‐1 maintained the morphology and function of mitochondria and ameliorated the exacerbation of lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by IL‐1β. Conclusion These results suggest that chondrocyte ferroptosis plays an important role in the development and progression of TMJOA. Significance Inhibiting condylar chondrocyte ferroptosis could be a promising therapeutic strategy for TMJOA.