HNGF6A ameliorates oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in degenerative meniscus

Aims: Meniscus injury can lead to knee synovitis and cartilage deterioration, ultimately resulting in osteoarthritis (OA). Mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as an induction factor in OA development, owing to an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the an...

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Main Authors: Ruonan Liu, Xue Du, Yufeng Chen, Zijing Zhu, Zongrui Jiang, Chengyun Zhang, Dong Jiang, Zhiqi Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery 2025-04-01
Series:Bone & Joint Research
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Online Access:https://online.boneandjoint.org.uk/doi/epdf/10.1302/2046-3758.144.BJR-2024-0318.R1
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author Ruonan Liu
Xue Du
Yufeng Chen
Zijing Zhu
Zongrui Jiang
Chengyun Zhang
Dong Jiang
Zhiqi Zhang
author_facet Ruonan Liu
Xue Du
Yufeng Chen
Zijing Zhu
Zongrui Jiang
Chengyun Zhang
Dong Jiang
Zhiqi Zhang
author_sort Ruonan Liu
collection DOAJ
description Aims: Meniscus injury can lead to knee synovitis and cartilage deterioration, ultimately resulting in osteoarthritis (OA). Mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as an induction factor in OA development, owing to an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant capacity of cells. However, the contribution of mitochondrial function in the meniscus to OA remains unclear. The purpose of this work was to elucidate the impact of HNGF6A, a mitochondrial-derived protective peptide, on meniscus senescence and degeneration to clarify the underlying mechanisms of ROS-induced OA pathogenesis. Methods: Primary human meniscus cells were subjected to oxidative stress using tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP). Mitochondrial function and ROS levels were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cytometry, and immunofluorescence. C57BL/6 mice subjected to destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) were either administered or not administered HNGF6A, and gait analysis was performed at eight weeks after surgery. Knee joints were collected for graft micro-CT and histological staining. Results: Mitochondrial function was found to be impaired in the degraded menisci in OA. Pretreatment with HNGF6A significantly restored the matrix degradation and cell apoptosis induced by TBHP, and maintained mitochondrial redox homeostasis, which corresponded with the activation of autophagy and FUN14 domain containing 1 (FUNDC1) upon HNGF6A treatment. The animal studies also revealed that HNGF6A alleviates meniscus degeneration and osteophyte volume, and ameliorates the OA phenotype in vivo. Conclusion: HNGF6A was found to protect meniscus cells by restoring FUNDC1-mediated mitochondrial redox homeostasis and autophagy. Thus, HNGF6A may have therapeutic applications in the prevention and treatment of meniscal degeneration and OA progression. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2025;14(4):315–327.
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spelling doaj-art-dac8ca228489459291da4a7c9755a76f2025-08-20T02:30:08ZengThe British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint SurgeryBone & Joint Research2046-37582025-04-0114431833010.1302/2046-3758.144.BJR-2024-0318.R1HNGF6A ameliorates oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in degenerative meniscusRuonan Liu0Xue Du1Yufeng Chen2Zijing Zhu3Zongrui Jiang4Chengyun Zhang5Dong Jiang6Zhiqi Zhang7Department of Joint Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Joint Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Traumatic Orthopedics, Foshan First People's Hospital, Foshan, ChinaDepartment of Joint Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Joint Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Joint Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Joint Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Joint Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaAims: Meniscus injury can lead to knee synovitis and cartilage deterioration, ultimately resulting in osteoarthritis (OA). Mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as an induction factor in OA development, owing to an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant capacity of cells. However, the contribution of mitochondrial function in the meniscus to OA remains unclear. The purpose of this work was to elucidate the impact of HNGF6A, a mitochondrial-derived protective peptide, on meniscus senescence and degeneration to clarify the underlying mechanisms of ROS-induced OA pathogenesis. Methods: Primary human meniscus cells were subjected to oxidative stress using tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP). Mitochondrial function and ROS levels were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cytometry, and immunofluorescence. C57BL/6 mice subjected to destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) were either administered or not administered HNGF6A, and gait analysis was performed at eight weeks after surgery. Knee joints were collected for graft micro-CT and histological staining. Results: Mitochondrial function was found to be impaired in the degraded menisci in OA. Pretreatment with HNGF6A significantly restored the matrix degradation and cell apoptosis induced by TBHP, and maintained mitochondrial redox homeostasis, which corresponded with the activation of autophagy and FUN14 domain containing 1 (FUNDC1) upon HNGF6A treatment. The animal studies also revealed that HNGF6A alleviates meniscus degeneration and osteophyte volume, and ameliorates the OA phenotype in vivo. Conclusion: HNGF6A was found to protect meniscus cells by restoring FUNDC1-mediated mitochondrial redox homeostasis and autophagy. Thus, HNGF6A may have therapeutic applications in the prevention and treatment of meniscal degeneration and OA progression. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2025;14(4):315–327.https://online.boneandjoint.org.uk/doi/epdf/10.1302/2046-3758.144.BJR-2024-0318.R1osteoarthritismeniscal degenerationmitochondrial damageoxidative stressmeniscusmeniscus cellsautophagyapoptosisosteoarthritis (oa)osteophytesknee jointsmeniscal degenerationpeptidedestabilization of the medial meniscus (dmm)
spellingShingle Ruonan Liu
Xue Du
Yufeng Chen
Zijing Zhu
Zongrui Jiang
Chengyun Zhang
Dong Jiang
Zhiqi Zhang
HNGF6A ameliorates oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in degenerative meniscus
Bone & Joint Research
osteoarthritis
meniscal degeneration
mitochondrial damage
oxidative stress
meniscus
meniscus cells
autophagy
apoptosis
osteoarthritis (oa)
osteophytes
knee joints
meniscal degeneration
peptide
destabilization of the medial meniscus (dmm)
title HNGF6A ameliorates oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in degenerative meniscus
title_full HNGF6A ameliorates oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in degenerative meniscus
title_fullStr HNGF6A ameliorates oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in degenerative meniscus
title_full_unstemmed HNGF6A ameliorates oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in degenerative meniscus
title_short HNGF6A ameliorates oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in degenerative meniscus
title_sort hngf6a ameliorates oxidative stress mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in degenerative meniscus
topic osteoarthritis
meniscal degeneration
mitochondrial damage
oxidative stress
meniscus
meniscus cells
autophagy
apoptosis
osteoarthritis (oa)
osteophytes
knee joints
meniscal degeneration
peptide
destabilization of the medial meniscus (dmm)
url https://online.boneandjoint.org.uk/doi/epdf/10.1302/2046-3758.144.BJR-2024-0318.R1
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