USP34 attenuates cartilage degradation in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis by ANT1-mediated mitophagy.

ABSTRACT: The pain and dysfunction caused by temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) can be debilitating. However, effective disease-modifying medicine for TMJ OA remains an unfulfilled need. While progressive cartilage degradation represents the hallmark of TMJ OA, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we identify ubiquitin-specific protease 34 (USP34) as a key regulator of mitochondrial quality control in TMJ chondrocytes through its stabilization of adenine nucleotide translocase 1 (ANT1). Using chondrocyte-specific Usp34 KO (Usp34^icKO ) mice, we first demonstrated age-dependent TMJ OA development characterized by cartilage destruction. Subsequent unilateral bite-raising experiments revealed that USP34 deficiency exacerbated mec

SUBMITTER: Jiang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12861080 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature