Multi-scale mechanics of musculoskeletal tissues

椎间盘退行性疾病、腰痛、骨关节炎、骨质疏松症和重复性负荷综合征是西方世界最普遍的发病原因，所有预测都表明，在可预见的未来，患病率将会上升。肌肉骨骼系统的功能主要是传递机械负荷，但也具有生物组织在整个生命过程中维持和修复自身的卓越能力。这种能力归因于组织内的细胞，它们都含有指导细胞外基质结构大分子合成、组装和修复的基本信息。大量证据表明，肌肉骨骼组织能够很好地适应其生物力学环境，并能够适应不断变化的机械需求。然而，其机制尚不清楚，需要更定量和直接地研究复杂的生理机械负荷对细胞生物合成的原位影响。

Degenerative disc disease, low back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and repetitive loading syndromes are some of the most prevalent causes of morbidity in the Western world, and all predictions point to an increasing prevalence for the foreseeable future. The musculoskeletal system functions primarily to transmit mechanical loads, yet also has the remarkable ability of biological tissues to maintain and repair itself normally throughout life. This ability is attributable to the cells within the tissues, which all contain the essential information to direct the synthesis, assembly, and repair of the structural macromolecules in the extracellular matrix. Considerable evidence indicates that musculoskeletal tissues are well adapted to their biomechanical environment, and can adapt in response to changing mechanical demands. However, the mechanisms are poorly understood and there is a need to investigate more quantitatively and directly the in situ effect of complex and physiological mechanical loads on cell bio-synthesis.