Date of Completion
4-26-2019
Embargo Period
4-24-2024
Advisors
Syam Nukavarapu; Tannin Schmidt
Field of Study
Biomedical Engineering
Degree
Master of Science
Open Access
Campus Access
Abstract
Superficial zone cells are a highly mobile population of chondroprogenitor cells. Their ability to undergo chemotaxis towards a cartilage injury site is suggested to be involved in the articular cartilage regenerative response. HB-EGF, a member of EGF family, is expressed by chondroprogenitors. HB-EGF is involved in cell cycle progression, adhesion, survival and cell migration during injury responses in other systems. This research examined the compared effects of growth factors on chemotaxis by articular cartilage superficial zone cells. HB-EGF was identified as a powerful chemoattractant for superficial zone cells. HB-EGF was especially effective in promoting chemotaxis at low concentration indicating that superficial zone cells are highly sensitive to the HB-EGF signal. These results suggest HB-EGF may be useful in future cartilage repair strategies as a way to stimulate migration of chondroprogenitors to the injury site.
Recommended Citation
Liu, Zihao, "HB-EGF Stimulates the Chemotaxis of Articular Cartilage Superficial Zone Cells" (2019). Master's Theses. 1355.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/gs_theses/1355
Major Advisor
Caroline Dealy