Nano-Morphology of Cartilage in Hydrated and Dehydrated Conditions Revealed by Atomic Force Microscopy

Peizhi Zhu,Ming Fang

doi:10.4172/2161-0398.1000106

Abstract

In this study, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to examine nano-scale structure difference in superficial and intermediate layers of bovine cartilage under dehydrated and hydrated conditions. The nanostructure of cartilage was quantitatively described using collagen fibril D-periodic spacing, fibril diameter, and surface roughness. Cartilage collagen fiber distribution was inhomogeneous in dehydrated condition but more homogeneous in hydrated condition. AFM images showed that the cartilage in dehydrated condition has higher roughness than that in hydrated condition. This study indicates that water is an important factor in maintaining the structure of extracellular matrix of cartilage. The loss of water can directly result in a rougher structure both on surface and bulk of articular cartilage. The morphology change of hydration-dehydration processes in cartilage is reversible.

Highlights

The multi-component and highly hierarchical structure of cartilage is designed to adapt to the specialized functional requirements, including frictionless motion and load bearing at the joints [1,2]
Water has been reported to play a major role in controlling the dynamics of structural conformation of macromolecules and the function of cartilage and bone tissue [3,4,5]
Chan et al [6] investigated the mechanism of friction in the boundary lubrication regime of articular cartilage using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Summary

Introduction

The multi-component and highly hierarchical structure of cartilage is designed to adapt to the specialized functional requirements, including frictionless motion and load bearing at the joints [1,2]. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated the morphological differences of cartilage between hydrated and dehydrated conditions. In this study we used AFM imaging to address the morphological changes at nano-scale level in cartilage under hydrated and dehydrated conditions.

Results

Conclusion