Extracellular Matrix Stiffness as a Key Molecular Event in Early Osteoarthritis: Crosstalk Between the RhoA/ROCK and ERK1/2 Pathways
ECM stiffening acts as an early mechanobiological trigger in OA by promoting a catabolic shift in chondrocytes through activation of a RhoA/ROCK-ERK1/2 signaling cascade. This stiffness-dependent pathway crosstalk is mediated by SPRY-4, positioning SPRY-4 and the RhoA/ROCK-ERK1/2 axis as potential mechanosensitive targets for early OA diagnosis and intervention.
Authors
- L. Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3728-1081)
- Haili Cai
- Y Hong
- Chunwei Zheng
- Jiapeng Bao
- Cheng Jiang
- Kai Huang
Institutions
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (CN)
- Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province (CN)
- 117th Hospital of People's Liberation Army (CN)
- Zhejiang University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The American Journal of Sports Medicine
- Published
- 2026-02-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465261418139
- Primary Topic
- Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00