Deformation properties of articular chondrocytes: a critique of three separate techniques

This paper presents a series of techniques, which examine the deformation characteristics of bovine articular chondrocytes. The direct contact approach employs well established methodology, involving AFM and micropipette aspiration, to yield structural properties of local regions of isolated chondrocytes. The former technique yields a non-linear response with increased structural stiffness in a central location on a projected image of the chondrocyte. A simple viscoelastic model can be used with data from the micropipette aspiration technique to yield a mean value of Young's modulus, which is similar to that recently reported (Jones et al., 1999). An indirect approach is also described, involving the response of chondrocytes seeded within compressed agarose constructs. For 1% agarose constructs, the resulting cell strain, yields a gross cell modulus of 2.7 kPa. The study highlights the difficulties in establishing unique mechanical parameters, which reflect the deformation behaviour of articular chondrocytes.