Impact of Knee Joint Loading on Site-Specific Cartilage Gene-Expression in a Porcine Model
Abstract
Cyclic mechanical loading of cartilage induces stresses and fluid flow which are thought to modulate chondrocyte metabolism. The uneven surface plus the heterogeneity of cartilage within a joint makes stress and fluid pressure distribution in the tissue non-uniform, and gene expression may vary at different sites as a function of load magnitude, frequency and time. In previous studies, cartilage explants were used for loading tests to investigate cartilage biological response to mechanical loading, which did not reflect well the loading conditions in a joint. In contrast, we used loading tests of intact knee joints, providing a more physiologically relevant mechanical environment. Gene expression levels of loaded samples were compared with that of corresponding control samples to establish variations. Variations in gene expression levels after mechanical loading provide an indication of the effect of local topography and structure of the cartilage on the metabolic activity of the tissue regulated by mechanical loading.
Description
Keywords
Genetics, Engineering--Biomedical, Engineering--Mechanical
Citation
Otoo, B. (2016). Impact of Knee Joint Loading on Site-Specific Cartilage Gene-Expression in a Porcine Model (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26460