Much of our understanding of the biological mechanisms that underlie cellular functions,
such as migration, differentiation and force-sensing has been garnered from studying cells …

Articular cartilage serves as a low-friction, load-bearing tissue without the support with blood
vessels, lymphatics and nerves, making its repair a big challenge. Transforming growth …

Decades of work have identified the signaling pathways that regulate the differentiation of
chondrocytes during bone formation, from their initial induction from mesenchymal …

Cartilage homeostasis is governed by articular chondrocytes via their ability to modulate
extracellular matrix production and degradation. In turn, chondrocyte activity is regulated by …

Objectives Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by loss of cartilage
and increased subchondral bone within synovial joints. Wnt signaling affects the …

Biophysical cues play a key role in directing the lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem
cells or multipotent stromal cells (MSC s), but the mechanotransductive mechanisms at play …

Mechanical forces transduced to cells through the extracellular matrix are critical regulators
of tissue development, growth, and homeostasis, and can play important roles in directing …

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of secreted factors play
essential roles in nearly every aspect of cartilage formation and maintenance. However, the …

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold great potential for regenerative medicine and tissue-
engineering applications. They have multipotent differentiation capabilities and have been …

Many biochemical factors regulating progenitor cell differentiation have been examined in
detail; however, the role of the local mechanical environment on stem cell fate has only …