IL-1β restrains its own apoptosis-promoting activity via NF-κB (RelA) Ser276/p62-mediated elimination of damaged mitochondria in chondrocytes

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a central proinflammatory cytokine implicated in osteoarthritis (OA), but its precise role in chondrocyte apoptosis remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-1β triggers mitophagy in chondrocytes by promoting Parkin translocation and p62 recruitment to damaged mitochondria, thereby reducing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Loss of p62 resulted in impaired mitophagy, excessive mitochondrial superoxide accumulation, and increased cell death. Mechanistically, IL-1β enhanced NF-κB (RelA) phosphorylation at Ser276 and Ser536, accompanied by elevated Mitogen and stress-activated kinase-1 (MSK1) expression. Inhibition of MSK1 selectively suppressed Ser276 phosphorylation without affecting Ser536, leading to reduced p62 expression and disrupted mitophagy. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized intrinsic regulatory mechanism by which IL-1β limits its own apoptosis-promoting effect through activation of the NF-κB (RelA) Ser276-p62-mitophagy axis. This pathway facilitates the clearance of damaged mitochondria and preserves chondrocyte viability, offering potential therapeutic insight into inflammation-associated cartilage degeneration in OA.