Investigating Heparan-Sulfate Binding Growth Factors in Cartilage Injury

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Maintaining healthy cartilage is an important endeavour, particularly as articular cartilage has a limited capacity to repair in response to damage. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms behind the release of growth factors from the extracellular matrix of cartilage through an interdisciplinary approach looking at the cellular biology and biophysics of the tissue. The working hypothesis is that injury causes biophysical increases in sodium concentration in cartilage, which dissociates growth factors from their respective interactions with heparan sulfate. Research will focus on hepatoma-derived growth factor, one of the pericellular matrix-sequestered factors, and elucidating its role in cartilage. This fundamental insight into cartilage biology is to be explored with physiologically relevant models through use of primary cells, cartilage tissue and in vivo models and will contribute towards the maintenance of healthy cartilage.Focus areas: Bioscience for health, Fundamental biologyBfH, ENWW