College of Artificial Intelligence, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China.
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Bone and Soft Tissue Injury Repair, Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
Cell Biochem Funct. 2024 Sep;42(7):e4126. doi: 10.1002/cbf.4126.
In articular cartilage, the pericellular matrix acting as a specialized mechanical microenvironment modulates environmental signals to chondrocytes through mechanotransduction. Matrix viscoelastic alterations during cartilage development and osteoarthritis (OA) degeneration play an important role in regulating chondrocyte fate and cartilage matrix homeostasis. In recent years, scientists are gradually realizing the importance of matrix viscoelasticity in regulating chondrocyte function and phenotype. Notably, this is an emerging field, and this review summarizes the existing literatures to the best of our knowledge. This review provides an overview of the viscoelastic properties of hydrogels and the role of matrix viscoelasticity in directing chondrocyte behavior. In this review, we elaborated the mechanotransuction mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to the viscoelastic environment and also discussed the underlying signaling pathways. Moreover, emerging insights into the role of matrix viscoelasticity in regulating chondrocyte function and cartilage formation shed light into designing cell-instructive biomaterial. We also describe the potential use of viscoelastic biomaterials in cartilage tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Future perspectives on mechanobiological comprehension of the viscoelastic behaviors involved in tissue homeostasis, cellular responses, and biomaterial design are highlighted. Finally, this review also highlights recent strategies utilizing viscoelastic hydrogels for designing cartilage-on-a-chip.
在关节软骨中，细胞周围基质作为一种特殊的机械微环境，通过力学转导调节环境信号向软骨细胞传递。软骨发育和骨关节炎（OA）退变过程中基质粘弹性的改变在调节软骨细胞命运和软骨基质稳态方面起着重要作用。近年来，科学家们逐渐认识到基质粘弹性在调节软骨细胞功能和表型中的重要性。值得注意的是，这是一个新兴领域，本综述尽可能全面地总结了现有文献。本综述概述了水凝胶的粘弹性特性以及基质粘弹性在指导软骨细胞行为中的作用。在本综述中，我们详细阐述了细胞感知和响应粘弹性环境的力学转导机制，并讨论了潜在的信号通路。此外，基质粘弹性在调节软骨细胞功能和软骨形成中的作用的新见解为设计具有细胞指令性的生物材料提供了思路。我们还描述了粘弹性生物材料在软骨组织工程和再生医学中的潜在应用。强调了对组织稳态、细胞反应和生物材料设计中涉及的粘弹性行为的力学生物学理解的未来展望。最后，本综述还强调了最近利用粘弹性水凝胶设计软骨芯片的策略。
