Lianna R Gangi, Athena D Pagon, Matthew J Pellicore, Kimberly R Kroupa, Lance A Murphy, Gerard A Ateshian, Clark T Hung
Journal of biomechanics 2024 SepThe synovium plays a crucial role in diarthrodial joint health, and its study has garnered appreciation as synovitis has been linked to osteoarthritis symptoms and progression. Quantitative synovium structure-function data, however, remain sparse. In the present study, we hypothesized that tissue glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content contributes to the low friction properties of the synovium. Bovine and human synovium tribological properties were evaluated using a custom friction testing device in two different cases: (1) proteoglycan depletion to isolate the influence of tissue GAGs in the synovium friction response and (2) interleukin-1 (IL) treatment to observe inflammation-induced structural and functional changes. Following proteoglycan depletion, synovium friction coefficients increased while GAG content decreased. Conversely, synovium explants treated with the proinflammatory cytokine IL exhibited elevated GAG concentrations and decreased friction coefficients. For the first time, a relationship between synovium friction coefficient and GAG concentration is demonstrated. The study of synovium tribology is necessary to fully understand the mechanical environment of the healthy and diseased joint. Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Lianna R Gangi, Athena D Pagon, Matthew J Pellicore, Kimberly R Kroupa, Lance A Murphy, Gerard A Ateshian, Clark T Hung. Synovium friction properties are influenced by proteoglycan content. Journal of biomechanics. 2024 Sep;174:112272
PMID: 39146899
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