Lubricin maintains temporomandibular joint homeostasis by regulating synovial inflammation.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degeneration, synovial inflammation, and subchondral bone remodeling, yet its molecular pathogenesis remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of proteoglycan 4 (Prg4), also known as lubricin, in maintaining temporomandibular joint (TMJ) homeostasis under physiological and pathological conditions, with the aim of exploring its potential for regenerative therapeutic applications.

Methods

Using high-resolution Visium HD spatial transcriptomics, we examined the spatial distribution of Prg4 expression within the TMJ. To model TMJ-OA, surgically induced anterior disc displacement (ADD) was performed in wild-type (WT) and

SUBMITTER: Negishi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12722035 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature