Excessive mechanical stress induces chondrocyte apoptosis through TRPV4 in an anterior cruciate ligament-transected rat osteoarthritis model

Aims: Chondrocyte apoptosis is the most common pathological feature of cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA). Excessive mechanical stress can induce chondrocyte apoptosis and destroy cartilage tissue. Transient receptor potential channel vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a mechanosensitive ion channel that mediates chondrocyte response to mechanical stress. Here, we investigated the potential role of TRPV4 in chondrocyte apoptosis induced by excessive mechanical stress. Main methods: Using a rat OA anterior cruciate-ligament transection (ALCT) model, we detected immunolocalization of calmodulin protein and mRNA and protein levels of TRPV4, calmodulin, and cleaved caspase-8 in articular cartilage. Primary chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in vitro, and Fluo-4AM staining was used to assess intracellular Ca2+ levels in order to evaluate TRPV4-mediated Ca2+ influx. Flow cytometry and western blot were performed to detect apoptosis and apoptosis-related protein levels in chondrocytes, respectively. Key findings: TRPV4 was upregulated in ALCT-induced OA articular cartilage, and we found that administration of a TRPV4 inhibitor attenuated cartilage degeneration. Additionally, TRPV4 specifically mediated extracellular Ca2+ influx, leading to chondrocyte apoptosis in vitro, which was inhibited by transfection of TRPV4 small-interfering RNA or administration of a TRPV4 inhibitor. Moreover, increased Ca2+ influx triggered apoptosis by upregulating FAS-associated protein with death domain and cleaved caspase-3, -6, -7, and -8 levels, with these effects abolished by TRPV4 knockdown or TRPV4 inhibition. Significance: These results indicated that TRPV4 was upregulated in OA articular cartilage, and that excessive mechanical stress might induce chondrocyte apoptosis via TRPV4-mediated Ca2+ influx, suggesting TRPV4 as a potential drug target in OA.