Clock gene Per1 regulates rat temporomandibular osteoarthritis through NF-κB pathway: an in vitro and in vivo study

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a common disease that negatively affects the life quality of human beings. Circadian rhythm acts an important role in life activities. However, whether the clock genes are rhythmic expressed in mandibular condylar chondrocytes, or the clock genes have an effect on the progression of TMJOA remains unknown. In this study, we aim to explore expression of clock genes and regulatory mechanism of TMJOA in rat mandibular condylar chondrocytes.

After synchronized by dexamethasone, the expression of core clock genes Per1, Per2, Clock, Cry1, Cry2 and Bmal1 and cartilage matrix degrading factor gene Mmp13 were analyzed in mandibular condylar chondrocytes every 4 h with RT-qPCR. The mandibular condylar chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β, and expression of Per1, Mmp13, P65 and p-P65 was assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Sh-Per1 lentivirus was used to assess the effect of clock gene Per1 in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes, and expression of Mmp13, P65 and p-P65 was measured. After establishing a rat TMJOA model using unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC), micro-CT, H & E, Alcian Blue & Nuclear Fast Red and Safranin O & Fast Green, cartilage thickness was utilized to assess the damage of cartilage and subchondral bone. Immunohistochemistry of PER1, MMP13 and P65 was performed in condylar sections.

All core clock genes and Mmp13 were rhythmically expressed. And Mmp13 expression curve was closed in phase and amplitude with Per1. After stimulation with IL-1β, the expression of MMP13, PER1 and P65 and ratio of p-P65/P65 increased in condylar chondrocytes. After Per1 was down-regulated in condylar chondrocytes, the expression of MMP13 and P65 and ratio of p-P65/P65 decreased. Compared with the condyles of Sham group, the bony parameters of UAC group were significantly worse. The thickness of cartilage in UAC group significantly reduced. The modified Mankin scores and the expression of PER1, MMP13 and P65 in cartilage of UAC group significantly increased compared with Sham group.

Core clock genes and Mmp13 are rhythmic expressed in rat mandibular condylar chondrocytes. PER1 can regulate the expression of MMP13 through NF-κB pathway in IL-1β-induced mandibular condylar chondrocytes.