The effect of ultrasound stimulation on the cytoskeletal organization of chondrocytes seeded in three-dimensional matrices.

ABSTRACT: The impact of low-intensity diffuse ultrasound (LIDUS) stimulation on the cytoskeletal organization of chondrocytes seeded in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds was evaluated. Chondrocytes seeded on 3D chitosan matrices were exposed to LIDUS at 5.0 MHz (approx. 15 kPa, 51 s, 4 applications/day) in order to study the organization of actin, tubulin and vimentin. The results showed that actin presented a punctate cytosolic distribution and tubulin presented a quasiparallel organization of microtubules, whereas vimentin distribution was unaffected. Chondrocytes seeded on 3D scaffolds responded to US stimulation by the disruption of actin stress fibers and were sensitive to the presence of Rho-activated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor (Y27632). The gene expression of ROCK-I, a key element in the formatio

SUBMITTER: Noriega S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3578221 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature