MAGL regulates synovial macrophage polarization vis inhibition of mitophagy in osteoarthritic pain

Pain is the hallmark symptom of osteoarthritis (OA), and current analgesic treatments may be insufficient or have potentially adverse effects. The inhibition of Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) produces anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. However, the potential mechanism of MAGL in OA pain remains unclear. In the present study, the synovial tissues were removed from OA patients and mice. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting were used to detect the expression of MAGL. M1 and M2 polarization markers were detected by flow cytometry and western blotting, and the mitophagy levels were detected by the immunofluorescence staining of mitochondrial autophagosomes with lysosomes and western blotting. The OA mice were intraperitoneally injected with MJN110 to inhibit MAGL once a day for a week. Mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were detected by electronic Von Frey and hot plate methods on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, and 28. The accumulation of MAGL in the synovial tissues of OA patients and mice promoted the polarization of macrophages towards an M1 phenotype. Pharmacological inhibition and siRNA knockdown of MAGL promoted polarization of M1 macrophages towards an M2 phenotype. MAGL inhibition increased the mechanical and thermal pain thresholds of OA mice and enhanced the mitophagy levels of M1 macrophages. In conclusion, in the present study, it was shown that MAGL regulated synovial macrophage polarization by inhibiting mitophagy in OA.