H. Zhang,J.H. Weiss,M. Li,S. Deiters,M. Baxter,C.T. Hung,G.A. Ateshian
{"title":"Metal cations Mg2+ and Ca2+ are major mediators of synovial fluid protection against fatigue failure of devitalized immature bovine cartilage under cyclical compression","authors":"H. Zhang,J.H. Weiss,M. Li,S. Deiters,M. Baxter,C.T. Hung,G.A. Ateshian","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.10.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2026.10.009","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":"159 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aidan J. Gregory,Molly E. Piazza,Priyanka P. Brahmachary,Samuel Battles,William S. Rockwell,Erik Myers,Mark Greenwood,Ross P. Carlson,Ronald K. June
{"title":"Injury Causes Altered Metabolism including O2 Consumption in Bovine and Human Chondrocytes","authors":"Aidan J. Gregory,Molly E. Piazza,Priyanka P. Brahmachary,Samuel Battles,William S. Rockwell,Erik Myers,Mark Greenwood,Ross P. Carlson,Ronald K. June","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.017","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":"166 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149089372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Denise Iliff, Harsev Singh, Jonathan J Huang, Irina Heggli, Venetia Zachariou, Andrew C Hecht, Damien M Laudier, Alon Lai, James C Iatridis
{"title":"Combined anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant treatment reduces pain and spinal cord nociceptive and inflammatory markers in a rat discogenic pain model.","authors":"Denise Iliff, Harsev Singh, Jonathan J Huang, Irina Heggli, Venetia Zachariou, Andrew C Hecht, Damien M Laudier, Alon Lai, James C Iatridis","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine whether a combination therapy targeting spinal inflammation and spinal cord nociceptive and neuroinflammatory processes can improve chronic discogenic pain in a rat model.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Chronic discogenic pain was induced in male (n=47) and female (n=20) rats with intervertebral disc (IVD) puncture injury. Duloxetine (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal daily), a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), Etanercept (5 mg/kg, subcutaneous every three days), a tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) inhibitor, their combination, or vehicle were delivered 4-weeks post-injury for 2-weeks. Outcomes included hindpaw mechanical hypersensitivity, voluntary locomotion, IVD height and degeneration and immunostaining in the spine and spinal cord (SC) for Substance P (SubP; nociception), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; neuronal plasticity), TNFα and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1; neuroinflammation). Random-forest regression identified variables associated with pain.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Injury induced persistent mechanical hypersensitivity, IVD degeneration, spinal inflammation, and increased SC markers. Females exhibited higher baseline SC marker expression than males but responded similarly to combination therapy with improved hindpaw withdrawal thresholds in both sexes (males: Δ=21.08 g, 95% CI: 17.75-24.41; females: Δ=20.33 g, 95% CI: 16.90-23.76 vs Vehicle). Duloxetine partially improved mechanical pain and reduced SC markers, while Etanercept selectively reduced TNFα with minimal behavioral improvement. Machine learning analysis identified SC markers as strongly associated with mechanical hypersensitivity. No treatments improved IVD degeneration or spinal inflammation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Combined Etanercept and Duloxetine treatment improved pain and reduced spinal cord nociceptive and neuroinflammatory markers, suggesting dual-target pharmacotherapy may be a promising strategy for chronic discogenic pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149113146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alena A Zelinka, Anke J Roelofs, Rita A Kandel, Cosimo De Bari
{"title":"Cell-based and tissue engineering therapies for cartilage repair and osteoarthritis.","authors":"Alena A Zelinka, Anke J Roelofs, Rita A Kandel, Cosimo De Bari","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The repair of damaged articular cartilage remains a significant challenge, despite extensive research conducted since the 1970s. This is primarily due to the avascular nature and complex zonal architecture of cartilage and its intricate biomechanics. At present, no pharmacological treatments effectively halt the progression of cartilage breakdown in osteoarthritis. Cell-based and tissue engineering approaches offer innovative solutions for possible life-long cartilage repair. Here, we provide a comprehensive narrative review of the diverse methods for cartilage repair that have been developed and investigated over the years, emphasizing both the successes achieved and the limitations encountered in these approaches.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Relevant publications from 1970 to 2026 were identified using PubMed searches. Given the vast quantity of literature, we focused on cell-based and tissue engineering interventions that were evaluated in vivo. Additionally, clinical trials were reviewed using data from clinicaltrials.gov.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Autologous chondrocyte implantation has been a pioneering technique for the repair of articular cartilage defects. Numerous strategies have since been investigated, including the use of various cells, sophisticated scaffolds, substrates, bioactive molecules, and different combinations thereof. Cell sources utilized include cultured chondrocytes, mesenchymal stromal cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Scaffolds and substrates are increasingly advanced, with gradient designs to better mimic natural tissue. Choosing optimal techniques and cell sources remains challenging and context-dependent. Advances in the understanding of developmental and regenerative biology are guiding more informed approaches to cartilage tissue engineering. Insights into joint-resident stem and progenitor cells present new opportunities to activate intrinsic repair processes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Regenerative interventions for cartilage repair have the potential to deliver substantial long-term benefits to patients. A wide array of innovative approaches have been explored in recent years. The challenge lies in effectively translating these advances into clinical applications. A one-fits-all solution is unrealistic, and identifying patients who are likely to respond to a specific treatment will enhance success. The repair of joint surface defects in an osteoarthritic joint may require more complex strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149081796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S Li, N A Segal, I Tolstykh, M C Nevitt, T D Turmezei
{"title":"Evaluating the C-score from weight-bearing CT as a quantitative imaging biomarker for worsening knee osteoarthritis structure and pain in the multicenter osteoarthritis study.","authors":"S Li, N A Segal, I Tolstykh, M C Nevitt, T D Turmezei","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Investigate a novel \"C-score\" metric of femoral bone shape, derived from weight-bearing-CT (WBCT), as an imaging biomarker for knee osteoarthritis (OA) structural progression and pain worsening in men and women with, and at increased risk for, symptomatic knee OA.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Images were acquired for 649 knees (56.3% females, mean±SD age 63.8±9.6 years, BMI 28.5±5.0 kg/m²). Statistical shape models (SSM) were constructed from segmented distal femurs. C-score was the distance along the femur shape vector from KL0/1 to KL2/3 mean shapes, standardized to 1 SD of KL0/1 variation in the SSM. Generalized estimating equations, adjusted for sex, age, >1 knee per participant, and BMI, determined associations between 2-year-worsening of OARSI Joint-Space-Narrowing (JSN) grade in the medial-tibiofemoral compartment and baseline C-score or minimally clinically important worsening (MCIW) of pain (2 points on the WOMAC-pain-subscore).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>70 knees had medial-tibiofemoral JSN worsening. In adjusted models, C-score was associated with JSN progression (OR: 1.43 (1.07, 1.92); p=0.01). Baseline C-score was also associated with 2-year MCIW pain (OR: 1.27 (1.00-1.62); p=0.047). The association of C-score with progression of JSN was more pronounced in men, and the association with pain progression was more pronounced in women, but these sex differences were not statistically significant (p >0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In individuals with or at risk of knee OA, higher C-scores are moderately associated with medial-tibiofemoral JSN progression and worsening knee pain over 2-year-follow-up. The C-score is a promising imaging biomarker for knee OA structural progression and pain worsening.</p>","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149081830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A unicompartmental-enriched comparator in the INKA trial: Implications for the non-inferiority conclusion.","authors":"Harun Sağlıcak","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.010","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149075578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fundamentals of osteoarthritis: Surgical therapy in osteoarthritis.","authors":"Henning Madry","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To deliver an updated, evidence-based overview of the different surgical therapies for osteoarthritis (OA).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This narrative review reports on principles of surgical therapies for severe, end stage OA and of options addressing pre-osteoarthritic deformities, aiming to possibly delay OA development. It focuses primarily on joint arthroplasty and other surgical approaches for the knee, hip and other major joints affected by OA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Surgical therapy in end-stage OA aims to reduce pain and restore joint function, allowing patients to regain their regular activities. Usually, this involves total joint arthroplasty (TJA), by far the most common surgical procedure addressing severe hip and knee OA, with a high evidence supported by randomized controlled trials and registry data. Evidence for osteotomies around the knee to delay TJA is fair. High-quality evidence supporting other surgical therapies addressing pre-osteoarthritic deformities to possibly delay OA progression and for other joints affected by OA is weaker compared to TJA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Surgical therapy is an important part of the continuum of care when conservative methods fail to provide adequate pain relief, classically indicated in cases of end-stage OA in older patients. Total knee and hip arthroplasty are the gold standard procedures, providing significant pain relief and improved function. Future studies need to confirm the long-term potential of other surgical therapies addressing pre-osteoarthritic deformities to possibly delay OA progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149040325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joscha Rombach, Monica T Hannani, Kim Henriksen, Asger Reinstrup Bihlet, Mayuur Bajaj, Yi He, Anne-Christine Bay-Jensen, Christian S Thudium, Morten Karsdal
{"title":"Can obesity pharmacotherapy modify osteoarthritis? Interpreting pain relief, weight-loss quality, and structural outcomes.","authors":"Joscha Rombach, Monica T Hannani, Kim Henriksen, Asger Reinstrup Bihlet, Mayuur Bajaj, Yi He, Anne-Christine Bay-Jensen, Christian S Thudium, Morten Karsdal","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the emerging role of obesity pharmacotherapies, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and multi-agonists, in osteoarthritis (OA) management, by examining the interpretation of pain outcomes, potential structural joint effects, the importance of weight-loss quality, implications for time to total joint replacement (TJR), and the patient populations most likely to benefit from current obesity pharmacotherapies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a narrative review of clinical and basic science literature examining the relationships between obesity, OA, and weight loss, with a particular focus on GLP-1 therapies and emerging obesity medications. Evidence from randomized controlled trials, observational studies, translational investigations, and regulatory guidance documents was reviewed with emphasis on pain outcomes, structural joint effects, and factors influencing progression to TJR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Recent randomized controlled trials, primarily involving patients with OA and class III obesity (body mass index >40), demonstrate substantial pain reduction following obesity pharmacotherapy. However, interpretation of these benefits is complicated by obesity-associated pain, multimorbidity, and limitations of patient-reported outcomes such as WOMAC. Current evidence supports symptomatic improvement associated with weight loss, but whether obesity pharmacotherapies directly modify OA-related pain pathways or slow structural progression remains unknown. Moreover, the quality of weight loss may be important, as reductions in fat mass may be accompanied by bone loss and reduced muscle mass. Patients at heightened risk of structural deterioration, such as sarcopenia or elevated bone resorption, may be particularly vulnerable to these effects. Emerging concepts such as clinical obesity further highlight the biological heterogeneity of OA populations and suggest that treatment responses may differ considerably between patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In the absence of evidence demonstrating direct joint structural modification, obesity pharmacotherapies cannot currently be considered disease-modifying OA treatments. Nonetheless, they may set a new benchmark for pain management in selected OA patients living with obesity. Because weight loss may not necessarily translate to structural benefit despite symptomatic improvement, pain should not serve as a stand-alone outcome in OA-obesity trials. Future studies should evaluate structural outcomes, weight-loss quality, and patient heterogeneity to ensure that obesity therapies deliver sustained symptomatic benefits in OA without compromising musculoskeletal health.</p>","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149017348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Madeline R Hines, Emily Witt, Lauren D McNally, Kevin J Lu, Jaycie A O'Neill, Douglas C Fredericks, Natalie A Glass, Karen I Cyndari, James D Byrne, Mitchell C Coleman
{"title":"Immuno-spin trapping after intraarticular procedures shows coordination between radical production, iron metabolism, and mitochondria in articular chondrocytes.","authors":"Madeline R Hines, Emily Witt, Lauren D McNally, Kevin J Lu, Jaycie A O'Neill, Douglas C Fredericks, Natalie A Glass, Karen I Cyndari, James D Byrne, Mitchell C Coleman","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Prior examinations of pathological effects of surgery have focused on inflammation. We sought to capture the effect of surgical injury on joint redox status.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Endpoints were assessed in C57B6J mice 24 h after destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) using markers of protein oxidation alongside a non-biased measure of oxidative stress independent of individual reactive oxygen species. D MPO mean intensity, a marker of radical production, was analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with FDR-adjusted pairwise comparisons of marginal means between DMM and paired CC limbs. Potential differences between paired DMM and CC limbs in percentage DMPO-positive cells were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. The remaining redox and mitochondrial markers were compared between independent samples using Kruskal-Wallis tests with FDR-adjusted post hoc Wilcoxon rank sum tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The highest basal radical production (DMPO mean intensity) in CC limbs was seen in synovium (mean (95% confidence interval) 35.8(26.8-48.0)AU, followed by cartilage (57.2(48.8-67)AU, p=0.008) then meniscus (6.5(3.9-10.9)AU, p<0.001) tissue. Paired DMM limbs had similar values for both synovium (38.8(31.1-48.4)AU), p=0.655) and meniscus (8.3(6.0-11.7)AU, p=0.493) but lower values for cartilage tissue (43.4(36.4-41.7), p=0.037) compared with CC limbs. DMM decreased chondrocyte radicals with minimal impact elsewhere. Intraarticular injections of prospective treatment vehicles constructed with xanthan gum (XG+DMM) or hyaluronic acid (HA+DMM) were examined. Compared to DMM, XG+DMM had greater protein nitration (median[IQR] XG+DMM 53.6[33.2-69.7] vs DMM=32.0[25.2-38.1], p=0.064) and oxidative stress (XG+DMM 37.0[33.5-51.8] vs DMM 26.0[25.1-27.3], p=0.009), but decreased synovial integrity (XG+DMM 41.7[32.2-46.4] vs DMM 67.6[54.1-75.6], p<0.001). In contrast, HA pretreatment was protective of cartilage oxidative function, preserving radical production (CC 58.4[55.4-63.9]; DMM 40.9[33.3-48.3]; HA+DMM 62.4[34.6-64.1], p=0.113 for DMM vs HADMM), protein nitration (CC 38[37-43]; DMM 8.0[7.0-12.0]; HA+DMM 44.0[7.0-65.0], p=0.071 for DMM vs HADMM), iron metabolism (CC 35[29.8-39.5]; DMM 4.5[1.0-29.0]; HA+DMM 73.5[34.0-85.5], p=0.024 for DMM vs HA+DMM), and mitochondrial staining (CC 20.5[17.8-23.9]; DMM 6.9 [3.2-11.5]; HA+DMM 32.4[17.9-35.0], p=0.024) for DMM vs HA+DMM.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Redox effects from surgery in mice are more nuanced than might be expected, with decreases in chondrocyte oxidative metabolism the most apparent outcome. We propose perioperative HA treatment might blunt the negative effects intraarticular surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149002338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yao-Hong Wu, Qin Chen, Ning Liu, Jiao-Lan Wu, Kai-Wen Peng, Jun Li, Wei Wang, Cheng Jiang, Yong-Long Chen, Jiong-Hui Chen, Zhi-Chao Yang, Jian Li, Hui Tao, Xiao-Chuan Li
{"title":"M1-like macrophages accelerate cartilage endplate remodelling and low back pain partially through TRADD-mediated necroptosis.","authors":"Yao-Hong Wu, Qin Chen, Ning Liu, Jiao-Lan Wu, Kai-Wen Peng, Jun Li, Wei Wang, Cheng Jiang, Yong-Long Chen, Jiong-Hui Chen, Zhi-Chao Yang, Jian Li, Hui Tao, Xiao-Chuan Li","doi":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joca.2026.09.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the role of M1-polarized macrophages in cartilage endplate (CEP) remodelling and low back pain (LBP).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Human intervertebral disc samples were collected from patients with (n = 52) and without LBP (n = 5). Macrophage mTORC1 activation and M1-like polarization were analysed. Mice with myeloid lineage-specific TSC1 deletion (Tsc1cKO mice), which exhibit enhanced M1 macrophage polarization, were generated and subjected to surgery to induce LBP. CEP cells (CEPCs) were co-cultured with conditioned medium derived from macrophages of Tsc1cKO mice. CEP damage and LBP were assessed using histological scoring, immunostaining, spinal hypersensitivity, and radiographic analyses. Mice and CEPCs were treated with the TRADD inhibitor apostatin-1 to investigate the role of TRADD in CEP remodelling and LBP.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Macrophage mTORC1 activation was increased in M1-polarized macrophages in CEPs during LBP. Tsc1cKO mice displayed a higher proportion of M1-like macrophages in the CEP (mean difference 9.9% [7.24%-12.56%], P < 0.001), with severe CEP remodelling and LBP. Rapamycin inhibited M1-polarized macrophage accumulation in the CEP (mean difference -14.7% [-18.92- -10.48%], P < 0.001) and ameliorated CEP remodelling and LBP. Using bioinformatics analyses, we found that TRADD-mediated CEPC necroptosis was a potential mediator of M1-polarized macrophages in LBP. Finally, apostatin-1 treatment attenujated CEP remodelling and LBP in mouse LBP and cell co-culture models.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings highlight the role of mTORC1-dependent M1-polarized macrophages and TRADD-mediated necroptosis in CEP remodelling and LBP. Targeting these pathways may offer therapeutic strategies for the treatment of LBP.</p>","PeriodicalId":19654,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148990958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}