17-DMAG regulates p21 expression to induce chondrogenesis and .

Cartilage degeneration after injury affects a significant percentage of the population, including those that will go on to develop osteoarthritis (OA). Like humans, most mammals, including mice, are incapable of regenerating injured cartilage. Interestingly, it has previously been shown that () knockout (p21) mice demonstrate auricular (ear) cartilage regeneration. However, the loss of p21 expression is highly correlated with the development of numerous types of cancer and autoimmune diseases, limiting the therapeutic translation of these findings. Therefore, in this study, we employed a screening approach to identify an inhibitor (17-DMAG) that negatively regulates the expression of p21. We also validated that this compound can induce chondrogenesis (in adult mesenchymal stem cells) and (auricular cartilage injury model). Furthermore, our results suggest that 17-DMAG can induce the proliferation of terminally differentiated chondrocytes ( and ), while maintaining their chondrogenic phenotype. This study provides new insights into the regulation of chondrogenesis that might ultimately lead to new therapies for cartilage injury and/or OA.