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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation of Chondrocyte-agarose Hydrogels
Published on: October 27, 2012
[Effects of mechanical stimulation on expression of integrin subunits in chondrocyte]
Hong-fei Zhu1, Yi-jie Liu, Li-xi Chu
1Acupuncture and Manipulation College Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, China.
Abstract:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a kind of degenerative disease characterized by hyperosteogeny at the joint margins and articular cartilage degeneration. Mechanical stress can regulate the multiple functions of cells. The integrin as one of the mechanoreceptors on the surface of cells, mainly mediated adhesion between cells and extracellular matrix, which plays an important role in the mechanical signal transmission to regulate the physiological functions of cell. Therefore, it is very important to select proper mechanical stimulation (such as naprapathy) in the early and middle stage of osteoarthritis, which regulate the expression of integrins to affect the function of chondrocytes, repair the damaged chondrocyte and delay the articular cartilage degeneration.
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