Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to analyze the in vitro effect of micro-strain stress on the proliferation and functional marker expression in chondrocytes isolated from human osteoarthritis cartilage samples.MethodsChondrocytes isolated from human osteoarthritis cartilage samples were subjected to loading with different types of micro-strain stress. The proliferation activity was assessed by flow cytometry, and the functional expression of chondrocyte markers was detected by qRT-PCR and western blot.ResultsFlow cytometry results showed stimulation of proliferation of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes when an adequate micro-strain stress was applied. qRT-PCR and western blot results showed that micro-strain stress promotes human osteoarthritic chondrocyte functional marker expression. These features coincide with the upregulation of multiple proteins and genes affecting cell proliferation and functional chondrocyte marker expression, including cyclin D1, collagen II, and Rock.ConclusionAdequate micro-strain stress could activate the Rho/Rock signaling pathway in osteoarthritic chondrocytes, thus transmitting mechanical signals to the cytoskeleton. This process leads to cytoskeleton reorganization, and transmission of the mechanical signals to the downstream effectors to promote proliferation and functional marker expression of osteoarthritic chondrocytes.
Highlights
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint disease, and its pathology is characterized by chondrocyte apoptosis and cartilage matrix destruction [1,2,3]
Western blot results showed that with an increase in micro-strain stress, Cyclin D1 protein expression increased gradually, and peaked in group C, decreased gradually (Fig. 3C). These results suggested that adequate micro-strain stress could promote the proliferation of osteoarthritic chondrocytes
Western blot results showed a gradual increase in collagen II protein expression with increased micro-strain stress, which reached a peak in group C, decreased gradually (Fig. 4B). These results showed the functional expression of osteoarthritic chondrocyte markers after the application of adequate micro-strain stress
Summary
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint disease, and its pathology is characterized by chondrocyte apoptosis and cartilage matrix destruction [1,2,3]. Cartilage tissue, which covers the joint surface, is a specialized connective tissue without blood vessels. It is stimulated continuously by endogenous and exogenous mechanical stimuli. Mechanical stimulation in a specific range plays a critical role in the maintenance of the structural integrity of articular cartilage [4]. The cytoskeleton plays a vital role in the maintenance of the intracellular structures and could rapidly transmit stress from the cytoskeleton to effectors in cells, causing various biological effects. This study aimed to analyze the in vitro effect of micro-strain stress on the proliferation and functional marker expression in chondrocytes isolated from human osteoarthritis cartilage samples
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