Abstract
The transfer of stress and strain signals between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells is crucial for biochemical and biomechanical cues that are required for tissue morphogenesis, differentiation, growth, and homeostasis. In cartilage tissue, the heterogeneity in spatial variation of ECM molecules leads to a depth-dependent non-uniform strain transfer and alters the magnitude of forces sensed by cells in articular and fibrocartilage, influencing chondrocyte metabolism and biochemical response. It is not fully established how these nonuniform forces ultimately influence cartilage health, maintenance, and integrity. To comprehend tissue remodelling in health and disease, it is fundamental to investigate how these forces, the ECM, and cells interrelate. However, not much is known about the relationship between applied mechanical stimulus and resulting spatial variations in magnitude and sense of mechanical stimuli within the chondrocyte’s microenvironment. Investigating multiscale strain transfer and hierarchical structure-function relationships in cartilage is key to unravelling how cells receive signals and how they are transformed into biosynthetic responses. Therefore, this article first reviews different cartilage types and chondrocyte mechanosensing. Following this, multiscale strain transfer through cartilage tissue and the involvement of individual ECM components are discussed. Finally, insights to further understand multiscale strain transfer in cartilage are outlined.
Highlights
All tissues in the body contain cells and a well organised extracellular matrix (ECM) compartment
The pericellular matrix (PCM) has a crucial function in absorbing, redistributing, and transmitting mechanical forces in articular and meniscal cartilage (Poole 1997; Sanchez-Adams et al 2013; Gilbert et al 2018) (Millward-Sadler et al 2004). It shields chondrocytes from extensive stress, and because it is a direct link between the cells and the ECM makes an important contribution to transmitting biomechanical signals to the cells (Quinn et al 1998)
Elastic cartilage is not exposed to large biomechanical forces, as it is found in the head and neck region
Summary
Specialty section: This article was submitted to Cell Adhesion and Migration, a section of the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental. The transfer of stress and strain signals between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells is crucial for biochemical and biomechanical cues that are required for tissue morphogenesis, differentiation, growth, and homeostasis. The heterogeneity in spatial variation of ECM molecules leads to a depth-dependent nonuniform strain transfer and alters the magnitude of forces sensed by cells in articular and fibrocartilage, influencing chondrocyte metabolism and biochemical response. It is not fully established how these nonuniform forces influence cartilage health, maintenance, and integrity. Investigating multiscale strain transfer and hierarchical structure-function relationships in cartilage is key to unravelling how cells receive signals and how they are transformed into biosynthetic responses.
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