IndraBC
Fat Balls
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Growth plate cartilage resides near the ends of long bones and is the primary driver of skeletal growth. During growth, both intrinsically and extrinsically generated mechanical stresses act on chondrocytes in the growth plate. Although the role of mechanical stresses in promoting tissue growth and homeostasis has been strongly demonstrated in articular cartilage of the major skeletal joints, effects of stresses on growth plate cartilage and bone growth are not as well established. Here, we review the literature on mechanobiology in growth plate cartilage at macroscopic and microscopic scales, with particular emphasis on comparison of results obtained using different methodological approaches, as well as from whole animal and in vitroexperiments. To answer these questions, macroscopic mechanical stimulators have been developed and applied to study mechanobiology of growth plate cartilage and chondrocytes. However, the previous approaches have tested a limited number of stress conditions, and the mechanobiology of a single chondrocyte has not been well studied due to limitations of the macroscopic mechanical stimulators. We explore how microfluidics devices can overcome these limitations and improve current understanding of growth plate chondrocyte mechanobiology. In particular, microfluidic devices can generate multiple stress conditions in a single platform and enable real-time monitoring of metabolism and cellular behavior using optical microscopy. Systematic characterization of the chondrocytes using microfluidics will enhance our understanding of how to use mechanical stresses to control the bone growth and the properties of tissue-engineered growth plate cartilage.
Explained in laymen terms by ChadGPT:
Explained in laymen terms by ChadGPT:
- Growth Plate Cartilage: This is a special area near the ends of bones where growth occurs. It's made up of a type of tissue called cartilage.
- Mechanical Stresses: Forces from both inside the body (intrinsic) and outside the body (extrinsic), like when we move or exercise, act on the cells (chondrocytes) in the growth plate.
- Importance of Understanding: While we know a lot about how mechanical forces affect other types of cartilage, like those in our joints, we're still learning about their effects on the growth plate and bone growth.
- Research Challenges: Scientists have developed tools to study how mechanical forces affect the growth plate, but there are limitations. Current methods can't test all types of stresses, and it's hard to study individual cells with them.
- Microfluidic Devices: These are tiny devices that can mimic the conditions inside the body and allow researchers to study cells in detail. They can create different types of stresses and monitor how cells respond in real-time.
- Future Research: By using microfluidic devices, scientists hope to better understand how mechanical forces control bone growth. This knowledge could lead to advancements in treating bone disorders and engineering tissues to help bones grow properly.
