Juvenile and Osteoarthritic Human Chondrocytes Under Cyclic Tensile Strain: Transcriptional, Metabolic and Kinase Responses.

ABSTRACT: Osteoarthritis (OA) involves cartilage breakdown and inflammation. This study compares juvenile and OA chondrocytes in gene expression, metabolism, and kinase activity, and tests mechanical stimulation to better understand cartilage health and degeneration. Juvenile (jCH) and OA (pCH-OA) primary chondrocytes were mechanically stimulated using the Flexcell™ FX5K system. Gene expression, protein phosphorylation, and metabolism were analyzed pre- and post-stimulation. Principal component analysis and effect size analyses identified molecular and signaling differences. Gene expression revealed significant differences between jCH and pCH-OA, with COL1 and RUNX2 upregulated in jCH, and MMP3 and ACAN downregulated. PCA revealed distinct expression patterns and marker correlations. Cyclic tensile

SUBMITTER: Lohberger B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12652661 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature