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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Tissue Collection and RNA Extraction from the Human Osteoarthritic Knee Joint
Published on: July 22, 2021
Notochordal cell matrix as a bioactive lubricant for the osteoarthritic joint
S A H de Vries1, M van Doeselaar1, H J Kaper2
1Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Notochordal cell derived matrix (NCM) can induce regenerative effects on nucleus pulposus cells and may exert such effects on chondrocytes as well. Furthermore, when dissolved at low concentrations, NCM forms a viscous fluid with potential lubricating properties. Therefore, this study tests the feasibility of the use of NCM as a regenerative lubricant for the osteoarthritic joint. Chondrocyte-seeded alginate beads were cultured in base medium (BM), BM with NCM (NCM), or BM with TGF-β1 (TGF), as well as BM and NCM treated with IL-1β. NCM increased GAG deposition and cell proliferation (stronger than TGF), and GAG/DNA ratio and hydroxyproline content (similar to TGF). These effects were maintained in the presence of IL-1β. Moreover, NCM mitigated expression of IL-1β-induced IL-6, IL-8, ADAMTS-5 and MMP-13. Reciprocating sliding friction tests of cartilage on glass were performed to test NCM's lubricating properties relative to hyaluronic acid (HA), and showed a dose-dependent reduction in coefficient of friction with NCM, similar to HA. NCM has anabolic and anti-inflammatory effects on chondrocytes, as well as lubricating properties. Therefore, intra-articular NCM injection may have potential as a treatment to minimize pain while restoring the affected cartilage tissue in the osteoarthritic joint.
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