Extracellular Calcium Ion Concentration Regulates Chondrocyte Elastic Modulus and Adhesion Behavior

Shen, Xingyu1; Hu, Liqiu1; Li, Zhen2; Wang, Liyun3; Pang, Xiangchao4; Wen, Chun-Yi5; Tang, Bin1

2021-09-01

10.3390/ijms221810034

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES   影响因子和分区

1422-0067

Extracellular calcium ion concentration levels increase in human osteoarthritic (OA) joints and contribute to OA pathogenesis. Given the fact that OA is a mechanical problem, the effect of the extracellular calcium level ([Ca2+]) on the mechanical behavior of primary human OA chondrocytes remains to be elucidated. Here, we measured the elastic modulus and cell-ECM adhesion forces of human primary chondrocytes with atomic force microscopy (AFM) at different extracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]) levels. With the [Ca2+] level increasing from the normal baseline level, the elastic modulus of chondrocytes showed a trend of an increase and a subsequent decrease at the level of [Ca2+], reaching 2.75 mM. The maximum increment of the elastic modulus of chondrocytes is a 37% increase at the peak point. The maximum unbinding force of cell-ECM adhesion increased by up to 72% at the peak point relative to the baseline level. qPCR and immunofluorescence also indicated that dose-dependent changes in the expression of myosin and integrin beta 1 due to the elevated [Ca2+] may be responsible for the variations in cell stiffness and cell-ECM adhesion. Scratch assay showed that the chondrocyte migration ability was modulated by cell stiffness and cell-ECM adhesion: as chondrocyte's elastic modulus and cell-ECM adhesion force increased, the migration speed of chondrocytes decreased. Taken together, our results showed that [Ca2+] could regulate chondrocytes stiffness and cell-ECM adhesion, and consequently, influence cell migration, which is critical in cartilage repair.

extracellular calcium ion elastic modulus adhesion migration

SCI

英语

第一 ; 通讯

National Key Research and Development Program of China[2019YFA0906004]

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology ; Chemistry

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology ; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

WOS:000700723800001

MDPI

CHEMISTRY

Web of Science

1.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Biomed Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
2.Jiangsu Univ Technol, Sch Chem & Environm Engn, Changzhou 213001, Peoples R China
3.Univ Delaware, Ctr Biomech Res, Dept Mech Engn, Newark, DE 19716 USA
4.Cent South Univ Forestry & Technol, Coll Mat Sci & Engn, Changsha 410004, Peoples R China
5.Hong Kong Polytech Univ, Dept Biomed Engn, Hong Kong 999077, Peoples R China

Shen, Xingyu,Hu, Liqiu,Li, Zhen,et al. Extracellular Calcium Ion Concentration Regulates Chondrocyte Elastic Modulus and Adhesion Behavior[J]. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES,2021,22(18).

Shen, Xingyu.,Hu, Liqiu.,Li, Zhen.,Wang, Liyun.,Pang, Xiangchao.,...&Tang, Bin.(2021).Extracellular Calcium Ion Concentration Regulates Chondrocyte Elastic Modulus and Adhesion Behavior.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES,22(18).

Shen, Xingyu,et al."Extracellular Calcium Ion Concentration Regulates Chondrocyte Elastic Modulus and Adhesion Behavior".INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES 22.18(2021).