Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

A 3D System for Culturing Human Articular Chondrocytes in Synovial Fluid
Published on: January 31, 2012
Chondrocyte calcium signaling in response to fluid flow is regulated by matrix adhesion in 3-D alginate scaffolds
Satish Degala1, Warren R Zipfel, Lawrence J Bonassar
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 151 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. sd273@cornell.edu
Abstract:
The interaction between chondrocytes and their surrounding extracellular matrix plays an important role in regulating cartilage metabolism in response to environmental cues. This study characterized the role of cell adhesion on the calcium signaling response of chondrocytes to fluid flow. Bovine chondrocytes were suspended in alginate hydrogels functionalized with RGD at concentrations of 0-400μM. The hydrogels were perfused and the calcium signaling response of the cells was measured over a range of fluid velocities from 0 to 68μm/s. Attachment to RGD-alginate doubled the sensitivity of chondrocytes to flows in the range of 8-13μm/s, but at higher fluid velocities, the contribution of cell adhesion to the observed calcium signaling response was no longer apparent. The enhanced sensitivity to flow was dependent on the density of RGD-ligand present in the scaffolds. The RGD-enhanced sensitivity to flow was completely inhibited by the addition of soluble RGD which acted as a competitive inhibitor. The results of this study indicate a role for matrix adhesion in regulating chondrocyte response to fluid flow through a calcium dependent mechanism.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue

