Mechano-activation of synovial fibroblasts and macrophages during OA progression in the dynamically stiffening synovial microenvironment

Kim, S. Y.; Farrell, E.; Burt, K. G.; Kwok, B.; Liang, Q.; Knights, A. J.; Sharp, K.; Nguyen, V.; Murphy, L. A.; Hu, B.; Kahn, A.; Qin, L.; Han, L.; Maerz, T.; Mauck, R.; Scanzello, C. R.

doi:10.64898/2026.02.16.706240

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.02.16.706240

Mechano-activation of synovial fibroblasts and macrophages during OA progression in the dynamically stiffening synovial microenvironment

Kim, S. Y.·Farrell, E.·Burt, K. G.·Kwok, B.·Liang, Q.·Knights, A. J.·Sharp, K.·Nguyen, V.·Murphy, L. A.·Hu, B.·Kahn, A.·Qin, L.·Han, L.·Maerz, T.·Mauck, R.·Scanzello, C. R.

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Abstract

ObjectiveDuring osteoarthritis (OA) progression, the synovial membrane undergoes profound structural and compositional remodeling and fibrosis. We sought to elucidate how evolving synovial microenvironmental mechanics during fibrotic remodeling influence cell behavior and drive the progression of synovial pathology. MethodsSkeletally-mature male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). To control for surgical confounders, both sham-operated and unoperated mice were included, with evaluation at 4- and 8-weeks. Synovial micromechanics were quantified via atomic force microscopy (AFM). Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and flow cytometry were employed to investigate cellular heterogeneity, spatial organization, and crosstalk within fibrotic and non-fibrotic synovial niches. ResultsProgressive fibrotic remodeling and marked matrix stiffening were observed in DMM-operated synovium but absent in sham- and un-operated controls. While both sham and DMM joints mounted an acute stromal and immune response to surgery, these changes resolved over time in sham conditions but persisted in DMM synovium. During disease progression, distinct functional subsets of synovial fibroblasts and immune cells emerged, with mechanosignalling pathways and distinct immune cell-fibroblast crosstalk robustly activated within DMM-induced fibrotic microenvironments. ConclusionThis study demonstrates the complex cellular dynamics and crosstalk that differentiate the evolution of the pathological synovial response in the fibrotic DMM condition relative to surgical sham controls. Our findings highlight mechanotransduction as a central mechanism driving OA synovial pathogenesis and underscore the utility of the DMM model as a platform to dissect the molecular underpinnings of synovial fibrosis.

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Kim, S. Y., Farrell, E., Burt, K. G., Kwok, B., Liang, Q., Knights, A. J., Sharp, K., Nguyen, V., Murphy, L. A., Hu, B., Kahn, A., Qin, L., Han, L., Maerz, T., Mauck, R., Scanzello, C. R.. 2026-02-18. Mechano-activation of synovial fibroblasts and macrophages during OA progression in the dynamically stiffening synovial microenvironment. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.16.706240

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