Inflammation-related collagen fibril destruction contributes to temporomandibular joint disc displacement via NF-κB activation

Abstract Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement is one of the most significant subtypes of temporomandibular joint disorders, but its etiology and mechanism are poorly understood. In this study, we elucidated the mechanisms by which destruction of inflamed collagen fibrils induces alteratio...

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Main Authors: Shengjie Cui, Yanning Guo, Yu Fu, Ting Zhang, Jieni Zhang, Yehua Gan, Yanheng Zhou, Yan Gu, Eileen Gentleman, Yan Liu, Xuedong Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-04-01
Series:International Journal of Oral Science
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-025-00352-0
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author Shengjie Cui
Yanning Guo
Yu Fu
Ting Zhang
Jieni Zhang
Yehua Gan
Yanheng Zhou
Yan Gu
Eileen Gentleman
Yan Liu
Xuedong Wang
author_facet Shengjie Cui
Yanning Guo
Yu Fu
Ting Zhang
Jieni Zhang
Yehua Gan
Yanheng Zhou
Yan Gu
Eileen Gentleman
Yan Liu
Xuedong Wang
author_sort Shengjie Cui
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement is one of the most significant subtypes of temporomandibular joint disorders, but its etiology and mechanism are poorly understood. In this study, we elucidated the mechanisms by which destruction of inflamed collagen fibrils induces alterations in the mechanical properties and positioning of the TMJ disc. By constructing a rat model of TMJ arthritis, we observed anteriorly dislocated TMJ discs with aggravated deformity in vivo from five weeks to six months after a local injection of Freund’s complete adjuvant. By mimicking inflammatory conditions with interleukin-1 beta in vitro, we observed enhanced expression of collagen-synthesis markers in primary TMJ disc cells cultured in a conventional two-dimensional environment. In contrast, three-dimensional (3D)-cultivated disc cell sheets demonstrated the disordered assembly of inflamed collagen fibrils, inappropriate arrangement, and decreased Young’s modulus. Mechanistically, inflammation-related activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway occurs during the progression of TMJ arthritis. NF-κB inhibition reduced the collagen fibril destruction in the inflamed disc cell sheets in vitro, and early NF-κB blockade alleviated collagen degeneration and dislocation of the TMJ discs in vivo. Therefore, the NF-κB pathway participates in the collagen remodeling in inflamed TMJ discs, offering a potential therapeutic target for disc displacement.
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spelling doaj-art-1ef679ad94464b219bf2b20fa140daa52025-08-20T02:24:26ZengNature Publishing GroupInternational Journal of Oral Science2049-31692025-04-0117111210.1038/s41368-025-00352-0Inflammation-related collagen fibril destruction contributes to temporomandibular joint disc displacement via NF-κB activationShengjie Cui0Yanning Guo1Yu Fu2Ting Zhang3Jieni Zhang4Yehua Gan5Yanheng Zhou6Yan Gu7Eileen Gentleman8Yan Liu9Xuedong Wang10Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental MaterialsDepartment of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental MaterialsFourth Clinical Division, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyDepartment of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental MaterialsDepartment of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental MaterialsCenter for Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyDepartment of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental MaterialsDepartment of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental MaterialsCentre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College LondonDepartment of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental MaterialsDepartment of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental MaterialsAbstract Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement is one of the most significant subtypes of temporomandibular joint disorders, but its etiology and mechanism are poorly understood. In this study, we elucidated the mechanisms by which destruction of inflamed collagen fibrils induces alterations in the mechanical properties and positioning of the TMJ disc. By constructing a rat model of TMJ arthritis, we observed anteriorly dislocated TMJ discs with aggravated deformity in vivo from five weeks to six months after a local injection of Freund’s complete adjuvant. By mimicking inflammatory conditions with interleukin-1 beta in vitro, we observed enhanced expression of collagen-synthesis markers in primary TMJ disc cells cultured in a conventional two-dimensional environment. In contrast, three-dimensional (3D)-cultivated disc cell sheets demonstrated the disordered assembly of inflamed collagen fibrils, inappropriate arrangement, and decreased Young’s modulus. Mechanistically, inflammation-related activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway occurs during the progression of TMJ arthritis. NF-κB inhibition reduced the collagen fibril destruction in the inflamed disc cell sheets in vitro, and early NF-κB blockade alleviated collagen degeneration and dislocation of the TMJ discs in vivo. Therefore, the NF-κB pathway participates in the collagen remodeling in inflamed TMJ discs, offering a potential therapeutic target for disc displacement.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-025-00352-0
spellingShingle Shengjie Cui
Yanning Guo
Yu Fu
Ting Zhang
Jieni Zhang
Yehua Gan
Yanheng Zhou
Yan Gu
Eileen Gentleman
Yan Liu
Xuedong Wang
Inflammation-related collagen fibril destruction contributes to temporomandibular joint disc displacement via NF-κB activation
International Journal of Oral Science
title Inflammation-related collagen fibril destruction contributes to temporomandibular joint disc displacement via NF-κB activation
title_full Inflammation-related collagen fibril destruction contributes to temporomandibular joint disc displacement via NF-κB activation
title_fullStr Inflammation-related collagen fibril destruction contributes to temporomandibular joint disc displacement via NF-κB activation
title_full_unstemmed Inflammation-related collagen fibril destruction contributes to temporomandibular joint disc displacement via NF-κB activation
title_short Inflammation-related collagen fibril destruction contributes to temporomandibular joint disc displacement via NF-κB activation
title_sort inflammation related collagen fibril destruction contributes to temporomandibular joint disc displacement via nf κb activation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-025-00352-0
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