Transcriptional Analysis Reveals That the FHL1/JAK-STAT Pathway is Involved in Acute Cartilage Injury in Mice.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify genes and signaling pathways associated with acute cartilage injury using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).MethodsKnee joint cartilage samples were collected from normal mice and 2 models of acute cartilage injury (non-invasive and groove models) within an 8-hour time limit. RNA-seq revealed differential gene expression between the injury models and controls, with subsequent validation using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for 9 representative genes.ResultsCompared to controls, the non-invasive model showed 36 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (13 up-regulated, 23 down-regulated), with and showing the most significant upregulation and downregulation, respectively. The groove model exhibited 255 DEGs (13 up-regulated, 23 down-regulated), with and showing the (222 up-regulated, 33 down-regulated). Six overlapping genes were identified between the non-invasive and groove models, including up-regulated genes () and down-regulated genes (), validated by RT-qPCR. Gene ontology (GO) analysis highlighted involvement in environmental information processing and cartilage organ system function, while Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis implicated the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed downregulation of in the non-invasive model, supported by Western blotting of p-JAK2/t-JAK2 levels.ConclusionsThis study identifies DEGs (13 up-regulated, 23 down-regulated), with and showing the in acute cartilage injury, suggesting potential therapeutic targets. The role of in cartilage protection via the JAK-STAT pathway warrants further investigation in acute cartilage injury research.