Chondrocyte Migration is Modulated by Osmotic Environment

INTRODUCTION In situ osmolarity of cartilage tissue is estimated to be 350-450 mOsm [1-2]. In joint injury and arthritis, breakdown of tissue macromolecules and increasing water content is estimated to result in a hypotonic environment (~300 mOsm), which can also be measured from the synovial fluid [3-4]. Many studies have investigated the influence of extracellular osmolarity on chondrocytes, which are usually cultured in medium of ~300 mOsm [5-7]. We previously reported the effects of medium osmolarity on chondrocyte cytoskeleton organization and hydraulic permeability [8-9]. In the current study, we hypothesize that extracellular osmotic conditions modulate chondrocyte migration.