Nanoscale shear deformation mechanisms of opposing cartilage aggrecan macromolecules.
The nanoscale shear deformation behavior of two opposing end-grafted aggrecan layers was studied in aqueous solutions using atomic force microscopy, and was observed to depend markedly on bath ionic strength, the presence of calcium ions, and the applied lateral displacement rate. These results provide molecular-level insights into the contribution of aggrecan deformation mechanisms to cartilage tissue-level material properties.
Han
Lin
L
Department of Materials Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Dean
Delphine
D
Mao
Pan
P
Ortiz
Christine
C
Grodzinsky
Alan J
AJ
D053674:Aggrecans / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002356:Cartilage / Q000378:metabolism*; D007477:Ions; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D053674:Aggrecans; D007477:Ions; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D002118:Calcium