Signal transduction mechanisms of the chondrocyte

关节软骨是一种覆盖在滑膜关节内骨表面的软组织。软骨在关节运动中被压缩和放松，导致渗透应力的变化，因为液体被挤出，然后被富含蛋白多糖的基质吸收。软骨细胞作为软骨中唯一的细胞，在维持细胞外基质方面起着至关重要的作用。软骨细胞对其所在地的机械和化学变化很敏感，并与各种生物反应相互作用。

Articular cartilage is a soft tissue covering the surfaces of bones within synovial joints. Cartilage is compressed and relaxed during joint motion leading to changes in osmotic stress as fluid is extruded and then imbibed by the proteoglycan rich matrix. As the only cells of cartilage, chondrocytes play a critical role in maintaining the extracellular matrix. Chondrocytes are sensitive to mechanical and chemical changes in their locale and reciprocate with a variety of biological responses.