Abstract
Aim: To determine the pattern of gene expression induced in cultured human chondrocytes in response to compressive mechanical loads.
Methods: Chondrocytes were obtained from tissue discarded at the time of a number of total knee replacements and where established in primary cell culture. The cultured chondrocytes were then subjected to compressive and tensile loads using a Flexcell machine. The RNA was subsequently extracted from these chondrocytes and the alterations in gene expression determined using the Affymetrix Gene Array machine.
Results: Intended as an in vitro model for Osteoarthritis, it was found that mechanical stimulation of human chondrocytes caused a significant alteration in the expression of a number of classes of compounds. These included enzymes, inflammatory mediators and structural proteins.
Conclusions: This study identified several interesting candidate genes whose expression was significantly altered after being exposed to a laboratory model for osteoarthrosis. Further study of these genes and their expression may lead to important clinical applications.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor A. J. Thurston. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Department of Surgery, Wellington School of Medicine, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand
