Bioengineering Synovial Fluid with Modulated Hyaluronan Molecular Weight and Function

This project seeks to gain a better understanding of (1) how cytokines regulate the molecular weight (MW) of the... » More

This project seeks to gain a better understanding of (1) how cytokines regulate the molecular weight (MW) of the synovial fluid (SF) lubricant molecule hyaluronan (HA), and (2) the relationship between HA MW and lubricating function, to aid in bioengineering functional SF in bioreactors. The regulatory effects of SF cytokines IL-1?, IL-17, IL-32, TGF-?1, and TNF-? on HA MW will be assessed by image-processing analysis of a novel separation and staining method, and the lubricating function will be assessed with a cartilage-on-cartilage friction test. « Hide