LOXL3 Inhibits Autophagy of Chondrocytes by Activating Rheb in Osteoarthritis

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms by which lysyl oxidase like 3(LOXL3)affects the autophagy in chondrocytes in osteoarthritis(OA),specifically through the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1).Methods To establish an OA model,rats underwent anterior cruciate ligament transection(ACLT).Chondrocytes were isolated from cartilage tissues and cultured.Western blotting was performed to assess the expression of LOXL3,Rheb,phosphorylation of p70S6K(p-p70S6K,a downstream marker of mTORC1),and autophagy markers.The autophagy of chondrocytes was observed using an immunofluorescence assay.Results The expression levels of both LOXL3 and Rheb proteins were upregulated in chondrocytes isolated from the OA model cartilage,in comparison to those from the normal cartilage.The silencing of LOXL3 resulted in a decrease in the protein levels of Rheb and p-p70S6K,as well as an increase in the expression of autophagy-related proteins.Additionally,the effect of LOXL3 could be reversed through the silencing of Rheb.The results of the immunofluorescence assay confirmed the impact of LOXL3 and Rheb on chondrocyte autophagy.Conclusion LOXL3 inhibits chondrocyte autophagy by activating the Rheb and mTORC1 signaling pathways.

Temperature-dependent energy storage characterization of Pb-free relaxor ferroelectrics

The energy storage properties of (1-x)Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5)TiO_(3-x)BaTiO_(3)(0≤x≤0.08)(BNT-BT)ceramics obtained via sol-gel method are determined from the polarization versus electric field(P-E)loops at various temperatures.The energy storage densities are observed to increase with increase in temperature and this may be attributed to the presence of antiferroelectric(AFE)phase at higher temperature(≥120℃).Obvious changes are observed in the saturation polarization(P_(s)) and remnant polarization(P_(r)) with increasing temperature.The maximum energy storage density of 0.6 J/cm^(3)is observed for x=0:06 in the AFE phase at 150℃for 90 kV/cm of applied electric field.BNT-BT can be a promising candidate for energy storage devices to be used in above-roomtemperature environment.