Single-cell RNA sequencing generates an atlas of normal tibia cartilage under mechanical loading conditions.

Chondrocytes in articular cartilage can secrete extracellular matrix to maintain cartilage homeostasis. It is well known that articular cartilage chondrocytes are sensitive to mechanical loading and that mechanical stimuli can be translated to biological processes. This study provides deep insight into the impact of mechanical loading on chondrocytes via single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Five cartilage tissue samples from the high-loading region of medial cartilage from the upper tibia (the TL group) and six cartilage tissue samples from the low-loading region of lateral cartilage from the upper tibia (the TN group) were obtained from six donors and subjected to scRNA-seq. TL and TN cartilage tissues from another donor were subjected to immunohistochemical staining. In total, 132,685 cells were analyzed and assigned to 11 cell types. The functions, developmental relationships and interactions of these cell types were determined, and gene transcription data were also evaluated. In addition, differentially expressed genes between the TL and TN groups and their functions were identified. The hub genes for the TL group were identified as GAPDH, FN1, VEGFA, LDHA, SOD1, CTGF, DCN, SERPINE1, ENO1 and CAV1, whereas the hub genes for the TN group included ACTB, CD44, MMP2, COL1A1, COL1A2, SPP1, CTGF, MYC, CCL2, and IGF1. The different enrichment terms indicated that physiological mechanical loading may induce reactive oxygen species accumulation and thus cause ferroptosis in chondrocytes.