Inhibition of Piezo1 mitigates mechanical overloading-induced temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis by suppressing chondrocyte ferroptosis

A TMJOA model was established in rats by increasing occlusal vertical dimension (iOVD) of the posterior teeth. In addition, condylar cartilage cells were exposed to periodic tensile stress in vitro to examine changes in Piezo1 channel activity, inflammatory mediators, and ferroptosis markers. In vivo, rats received local injections of the Piezo1 blocker Dooku1 into the TMJ region to evaluate whether inhibition of Piezo1 mitigates mechanical overload-induced chondrocyte ferroptosis and subsequent TMJOA progression.