An inverse relationship between chondrogenic molecular markers and anabolic mechano-responsiveness in human osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes

Abstract

Purpose: Mechanical loading is a continuous challenge for the chondrocytes in articular cartilage. The cell’s homeostatic response towards in vivo loading upon movement includes adaptive synthesis of macromolecules that build up the extracellular matrix and control of matrix turnover by enzymatic activity. In osteoarthritis (OA) this homeostatic process appears to be disturbed, causing an inferior quality of the extracellular matrix. Whether the intrinsic mechano-responsiveness of the cells in this context is affected remains ill understood.