Impact of endoplasmic reticulum stress on chondrocyte apoptosis in rat model of DDH

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a developmental disorder characterized by acetabular dysplasia leading to early osteoarthritis. This study examines the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in chondrocyte apoptosis and cartilage degeneration within a DDH model. In the rat model of DDH, created using a swaddling technique, significant deformities in the femoral head and acetabulum were observed, alongside an upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-13 in acetabular cartilage. We also noted increased levels of apoptosis and ERS-related factors in the acetabular cartilage of DDH models. Additionally, rat chondrocytes exposed to high-magnitude cyclic tensile strain (CTS, 1 Hz, 10% equibiaxial strain) in vitro exhibited elevated ERS and increased apoptosis. Importantly, treatment with the ERS inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid effectively suppressed apoptosis induced by CTS in chondrocytes. Our findings suggest that ERS contributes to the upregulation of apoptosis-related factors in chondrocytes within the DDH model, indicating the potential of ERS modulation as a therapeutic approach for DDH-related cartilage degeneration.