Neratinib exerts dual effects on cartilage degradation and osteoclast production in Osteoarthritis by inhibiting the activation of the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease caused by the progressive destruction of cartilage and subchondral bone [1]. Studies have shown that by inhibiting the degradation of cartilage cells and the loss of subchondral bone, OA can be prevented and treated. Neratinib, as a small molecule compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties, is a very effective inhibitor of IL-1β-induced chondrocyte inflammation and anabolic metabolism. By investigating the effect of neratinib in ATDC5 chondrocytes, the study finds that neratinib reduces inflammation by inhibiting the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, and at the same time reduces pyrolysis (indicated by the results of reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blotting). For anabolic metabolism, after high-density cell culture, IL-1β-induced catalytic changes and degradation of the extracellular matrix were evaluated by toluidine blue staining. Since osteoclasts are key participants in the process of subchondral bone remodeling in OA, we also studied the effect of neratinib on the maturation of osteoclasts. The results showed that neratinib also acts as an anti-osteoclast agent in vitro. By inhibiting the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, it reduces the expression of osteoclast-related genes, thereby inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. The results of in vivo animal experiments supported the conclusions from the experiments in vitro. Neratinib inhibited both the destruction of medial meniscus induced cartilage degradation and osteoclast formation, which proves that neratinib has a dual effect, protecting cartilage and inhibiting osteoclast formation. These results indicate that neratinib can be a brand-new latent strategy for the treatment of OA.