Substrate stiffness and the role of actin in regulating chondrocyte dedifferentiation

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Articular cartilage covers the ends of bone facilitating joint movement and transfer of forces. Osteoarthritis is a disease of joints characterized by loss of the cartilage, and manifests as pain, stiffness and loss of range of motion disabling approximately 1 in 6 Canadians over the age of 15. Cartilage has little ability to repair when damaged. Current treatments alleviate symptoms only and do not stop disease progression so ultimately the damaged joint will require joint replacement with a prosthesis. These are made from metals and plastic and will ultimately fail. Clearly there is a great need for novel biological cell therapies to repair/replace the damaged cartilage that will fully restore joint function and health to normal.