The load-bearing ability of cartilage is defined by its composition, hierarchical organization, and the interactions among the polymeric constituents of the extracellular matrix (ECM).  Macroscopic measurements such as osmotic swelling pressure measurements and stress-strain measurements probe the tissue at large length scales and yield information on the thermodynamic and mechanical properties. The osmotic pressure contains contributions from various interactions (e.g., electrostatic interactions, hydration forces, hydrophobic interactions). Knowledge of these interactions between the major biopolymer components of the ECM is necessary to quantify their relative effects on the macroscopic behavior and function of the tissue. These macroscopic measurements, however, do not provide insight into the underlying molecular interactions that control tissue’s biomechanical properties.<br/>We developed a multiscale experimental approach to study the structure and interactions in biological tissues. Our approach covers a wide range of length scales from small angle x-ray and neutron scattering, covering the nano-scale to osmotic pressure and mechanical measurements covering the macro-scale properties. Information on the dynamics of proteoglycan assemblies is obtained from dynamic light scattering, neutron spin echo and rheological measurements. We report systematic osmotic and scattering studies made on cartilage polymers and their assemblies in near physiological salt solutions.

Molecular interactions among cartilage proteoglycans

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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