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Alterations in the Young's modulus and volumetric properties of chondrocytes isolated from normal and osteoarthritic human cartilage.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Jones, WR; Ting-Beall, HP; Lee, GM; Kelley, SS; Hochmuth, RM; Guilak, F
Published in: J Biomech
February 1999

The mechanical environment of the chondrocyte is an important factor that influences the maintenance of the articular cartilage extracellular matrix. Previous studies have utilized theoretical models of chondrocytes within articular cartilage to predict the stress-strain and fluid flow environments around the cell, but little is currently known regarding the cellular properties which are required for implementation of these models. The objectives of this study were to characterize the mechanical behavior of primary human chondrocytes and to determine the Young's modulus of chondrocytes from non-osteoarthritic ('normal') and osteoarthritic cartilage. A second goal was to quantify changes in the volume of isolated chondrocytes in response to mechanical deformation. The micropipette aspiration technique was used to measure the deformation of a single chondrocyte into a glass micropipette in response to a prescribed pressure. The results of this study indicate that the human chondrocyte behaves as a viscoelastic solid. No differences were found between the Young's moduli of normal (0.65+/-0.63 kPa, n = 44) and osteoarthritic chondrocytes (0.67+/-0.86 kPa, n = 69, p = 0.93). A significant difference in cell volume was observed immediately and 600 s after complete aspiration of the cell into the pipette (p < 0.001), and the magnitude of this volume change between normal (11+/-11%, n = 40) and osteoarthritic (20+/-11%, n = 41) chondroctyes was significantly different at both time points (p < 0.002). This finding suggests that chondrocytes from osteoarthritic cartilage may have altered volume regulation capabilities in response to mechanical deformation. The mechanical and volumetric properties determined in this study will be of use in analytical and finite element models of chondrocyte-matrix interactions in order to better predict the mechanical environment of the cell in vivo.

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Published In

J Biomech

DOI

ISSN

0021-9290

Publication Date

February 1999

Volume

32

Issue

2

Start / End Page

119 / 127

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Viscosity
  • Surface Properties
  • Reference Values
  • Pressure
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Middle Aged
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Humans
  • Elasticity
  • Chondrocytes
 

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Jones, W. R., Ting-Beall, H. P., Lee, G. M., Kelley, S. S., Hochmuth, R. M., & Guilak, F. (1999). Alterations in the Young's modulus and volumetric properties of chondrocytes isolated from normal and osteoarthritic human cartilage. J Biomech, 32(2), 119–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9290(98)00166-3
Jones, W. R., H. P. Ting-Beall, G. M. Lee, S. S. Kelley, R. M. Hochmuth, and F. Guilak. “Alterations in the Young's modulus and volumetric properties of chondrocytes isolated from normal and osteoarthritic human cartilage.J Biomech 32, no. 2 (February 1999): 119–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9290(98)00166-3.
Jones WR, Ting-Beall HP, Lee GM, Kelley SS, Hochmuth RM, Guilak F. Alterations in the Young's modulus and volumetric properties of chondrocytes isolated from normal and osteoarthritic human cartilage. J Biomech. 1999 Feb;32(2):119–27.
Jones, W. R., et al. “Alterations in the Young's modulus and volumetric properties of chondrocytes isolated from normal and osteoarthritic human cartilage.J Biomech, vol. 32, no. 2, Feb. 1999, pp. 119–27. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0021-9290(98)00166-3.
Jones WR, Ting-Beall HP, Lee GM, Kelley SS, Hochmuth RM, Guilak F. Alterations in the Young's modulus and volumetric properties of chondrocytes isolated from normal and osteoarthritic human cartilage. J Biomech. 1999 Feb;32(2):119–127.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Biomech

DOI

ISSN

0021-9290

Publication Date

February 1999

Volume

32

Issue

2

Start / End Page

119 / 127

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Viscosity
  • Surface Properties
  • Reference Values
  • Pressure
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Middle Aged
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Humans
  • Elasticity
  • Chondrocytes