Atf3 + senescent chondrocytes mediate meniscus degeneration in aging.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Meniscus degeneration contributes to knee arthritis progression, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms of meniscus aging remain poorly understood. We aimed to characterize age-related changes in the rat meniscus using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and identify key pathogenic cell populations and pathways.

Methods

Meniscal tissues from young (12 weeks) and aged (24 months) rats were processed for histology, flow cytometry, and scRNA-seq. Bioinformatics tools, including Seurat, Monocle 2, and CellChat, were used to analyze cellular composition, pseudotime trajectories, and intercellular communication. Senescence-related features and signaling pathways were evaluated.

Results

Knee joint of aged rats exhibited higher Osteoarthritis Research Society

SUBMITTER: Wang JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12082910 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature