The role of mechanical loading in cartilage homeostasis, degeneration and repair: a multi-scale approach.

Therapies to heal cartilage lesions and prevent evolution towards osteoarthritis, the most common chronic joint disease, are urgently needed. This project aims to causally relate cartilage tissue responses to mechanical loading using a novel multi-scale approach that integrates molecular biology with biomechanical multiscale modeling. The central hypothesis states that mechanical loading can be associated with specific anabolic and catabolic molecular responses of the cartilage tissue.  Consequently, molecular cartilage tissue responses following alterations in mechanical loading conditions during locomotion can be predicted using multi-scale modelling approaches.To test this central hypothesis, the local molecular response in the cartilage tissue will be related to the mechanical environment, using an innovative mechanosensitive marker. Then, altered molecular responses and consequent cartilage tissue adaptation will be related to different mechanical loading conditions during bioreactor experiments using a multi-scale model. Finally, cartilage tissue responses following alterations in mechanical loading during locomotion are predicted in a rodent model.Ultimately but beyond the scope of the current project, optimized orthopaedic, regenerative medicine and exercise interventions that prevent cartilage degeneration and optimize cartilage repair that account for cartilage biological responses to mechanical impact can be developed.  

Keywords:Mechanomics, Cartilage homeostasis, Multi-axial bioreactor, Multi-scale modeling, Mechanical loading

Disciplines:Orthopaedics, Human movement and sports sciences, Rehabilitation sciences