Lubricin deficiency in the murine lumbar intervertebral disc results in elevated torsional apparent modulus.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanical consequences of proteoglycan 4 (Prg4) deficiency on intervertebral disc mechanics using a Prg4 knockout mouse model. Prg4, also called lubricin, was first identified as the boundary lubricant in synovial fluid but has subsequently been localized within a number of musculoskeletal tissues in areas subjected to shear and tensile stresses, including the intervertebral disc. The function of lubricin in the intervertebral disc has not been determined. Lumbar level 1-2 vertebral body-disc-vertebral body motion segments were isolated from Prg4 null mice and wild type (WT) litter mate controls. Disc dimensions were measured and motion segments were tested in axial loading and torsion. Torque measurements and disc dimensions were used to c

SUBMITTER: Teeple E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4492848 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature