Abnormal mechanical stress induced chondrocyte senescence by YAP loss‐mediated METTL3 upregulation

Abstract Objectives Abnormal mechanical stress is the pivotal risk factor of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). This study investigated the pathogenic mechanism by which abnormal mechanical stress induced chondrocyte senescence. Materials and Methods Cellular senescence was investigated in the rodent model of unilateral anterior crossbite and in the chondrocytes subjected to mechanical overloading in vitro. The effects of Yes‐associated protein (YAP) in chondrocyte senescence and its correlation with methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) and N 6 ‐methyladenosine (m 6 A) modification were evaluated. The role of m 6 A modification in chondrocyte senescence was determined. The therapeutic effects of m 6 A inhibition in TMJOA were investigated. Results Senescent chondrocytes were accumulated in the mechanically induced TMJOA lesions in rats and mechanical overloading could trigger chondrocyte senescence in vitro. This mechanical stress‐induced cellular senescence was revealed to be mediated by YAP deficiency that promoted METTL3‐dependent m 6 A modification. Moreover, inhibition of m 6 A modification rescued chondrocyte senescence in vitro and in vivo, and suppressed TMJOA progression in rats. Conclusions This study uncovered the underlying mechanism of mechanically induced senescence in TMJOA from the perspective of epitranscriptomics and revealed the therapeutic potential of m 6 A inhibition in TMJOA.