Metabolomic Profiling and Mechanotransduction of Single Chondrocytes Encapsulated in Alginate Microgels.

ABSTRACT: Articular cartilage is comprised of two main components, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the pericellular matrix (PCM). The PCM helps to protect chondrocytes in the cartilage from mechanical loads, but in patients with osteoarthritis, the PCM is weakened, resulting in increased chondrocyte stress. As chondrocytes are responsible for matrix synthesis and maintenance, it is important to understand how mechanical loads affect the cellular responses of chondrocytes. Many studies have examined chondrocyte responses to in vitro mechanical loading by embedding chondrocytes in 3-D hydrogels. However, these experiments are mostly performed in the absence of PCM, which may obscure important responses to mechanotransduction. Here, drop-based microfluidics is used to culture single chondrocy

SUBMITTER: Fredrikson JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8909502 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature