In-vivo cartilage mechano-biology: How to make progress in osteoarthritis research

Abstract

Cartilage mechano-biology has typically been performed in isolated tissue explants exposed to hydrostatic pressure, or subjected to confined or unconfined loading conditions. Although these approaches offer great control over the experiments, they do not reflect the physiological loading and boundary conditions of cartilage in the intact joint. Here, we will describe recent approaches that allow for evaluation of cartilage and chondrocyte biomechanics and signaling in the intact cartilage and intact joint of live animals. Although not as well controlled as experiments performed on tissue explants, the in vivo work offers the opportunity to study chondrocyte mechanics and signaling as well as tissue biomechanics for physiologically relevant loading situations and with natural boundary conditions. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.