Pericellular heparan sulfate proteoglycans: Role in regulating the biosynthetic response of nucleus pulposus cells to osmotic loading.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Daily physiologic loading causes fluctuations in hydration of the intervertebral disc (IVD); thus, the embedded cells experience cyclic alterations to their osmotic environment. These osmotic fluctuations have been described as a mechanism linking mechanics and biology, and have previously been shown to promote biosynthesis in chondrocytes. However, this phenomenon has yet to be fully interrogated in the IVD. Additionally, the specialized extracellular matrix surrounding the cells, the pericellular matrix (PCM), transduces the biophysical signals that cells ultimately experience. While it is known that the PCM is altered in disc degeneration, whether it disrupts normal osmotic mechanotransduction has yet to be determined. Thus, our objectives were to assess: (1) whether

SUBMITTER: Krull CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9238280 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature