Oxygen and pH-sensitivity of articular chondrocytes

Articular chondrocytes reside in a unique and challenging avascular environment in cartilage. During joint disease, O2 and pH levels are further reduced, and may be involved in chondrocyte dysfunction and cartilage matrix breakdown. How fluctuations in these environmental parameters affect factors such as redox balance and mitochondrial function in articular chondrocytes is largely unknown but may provide a link between the extracellular environment to cell signalling pathways that may alter cellular and hence cartilage integrity. Additionally, ROS-regulatory compounds may offer scope for therapeutic intervention in joint disease. In this project, the effects of different O2 levels