In situ chondrocyte mechanics and numerical modeling

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dc.contributor.advisorHerzog, Walter
dc.contributor.authorHan, Sang-Kuy
dc.date.accessioned2017-12-18T21:49:57Z
dc.date.available2017-12-18T21:49:57Z
dc.date.issued2009
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 157-167en
dc.description.abstractChondrocytes, the active cells in articular cartilage, are important in maintaining cartilage health and integrity by synthesizing the extracellular matrix. The mechanical environment of chondrocytes is thought to play a regulatory role in cell biosynthesis, and therefore is believed to be crucial for our understanding of cartilage adaptation and degeneration. Numerical modelling of chondrocytes and experimental tests on cartilage have been performed to elucidate the detailed transmission of load on articular cartilage to the cells. Much of the theoretical work has been based on the assumptions that articular cartilage is isotropic and homogeneous, which is known to be incorrect. In addition, most experimental studies have been performed on cartilage explants with the associated loss of tissue integrity and boundary conditions. Therefore, much of the current knowledge on chondrocyte mechanics is based on simplistic models and inappropriate tissue tests. The general aim of this study was to gain further insight into chondrocyte mechanics and its possible regulatory mechanisms for maintaining cartilage tissue. In order to accomplish this goal, we first developed an anisotropic and inhomogeneous articular cartilage model to study chondrocyte mechanics. The anisotropy and heterogeneity of cartilage was derived based on considerations of the micro-structural components of cartilage, particularly as they occur in the cell's vicinity. We found that for prescribed loading of the cartilage tissue, cells deform in a depth-dependent manner which is consistent with experimental studies. Specifically, we found that cell deformations are consistently smaller than tissue deformations because of the structural elements in the vicinity of the cell (the chondron), which appear to have a protective mechanical role that limits excessive cell strains. We then designed and developed a novel experimental loading system that allows for observation of cell deformations in the intact articular cartilage attached to its native bone. We systematically quantified chondrocyte deformations while applying controlled loads to healthy cartilage and cartilage from animals with early osteoarthritis. We found that chondrocyte deformations in the intact articular cartilage differed significantly from those described in explant tissues, and that early osteoarthritis changes cell deformations for given loading conditions in an unexpected way.
dc.format.extentxx, 167 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationHan, S. (2009). In situ chondrocyte mechanics and numerical modeling (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/2590en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/2590
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/103591
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.titleIn situ chondrocyte mechanics and numerical modeling
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineMechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 1864 520502034
ucalgary.thesis.notesUARCen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
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