Xia, YangDarling, Eric M.Herzog, Walter2018-09-192018-09-192018-02Xia, Y., Darling, E. M., & Herzog, W. (2018). Functional properties of chondrocytes and articular cartilage using optical imaging to scanning probe microscopy. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 36(2), 620-631. doi:10.1002/jor.237571554-527Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/10777710.11575/PRISM/43907Mature chondrocytes in adult articular cartilage vary in number, size, and shape, depending on their depth in the tissue, location in the joint, and source species. Chondrocytes are the primary structural, functional, and metabolic unit in articular cartilage, the loss of which will induce fatigue to the extracellular matrix (ECM), eventually leading to failure of the cartilage and impairment of the joint as a whole. This brief review focuses on the functional and biomechanical studies of chondrocytes and articular cartilage, using microscopic imaging from optical microscopies to scanning probe microscopy. Three topics are covered in this review, including the functional studies of chondrons by optical imaging (unpolarized and polarized light and infrared light, two-photon excitation microscopy), the probing of chondrocytes and cartilage directly using microscale measurement techniques, and different imaging approaches that can measure chondrocyte mechanics and chondrocyte biological signaling under in situ and in vivo environments. Technical advancement in chondrocyte research during recent years has enabled new ways to study the biomechanical and functional properties of these cells and cartilage. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:620-631, 2018.enUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. 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. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Xia, Y., Darling, E. M., & Herzog, W. (2018). Functional properties of chondrocytes and articular cartilage using optical imaging to scanning probe microscopy. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 36(2), 620–631. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.23757, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.23757 . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0chondrocytearticular cartilagejournal articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jor.23757