Mechanical stress induces the expression of high molecular mass heat shock protein in human chondrocytic cell line CS-OKB

AbstractObjective Mechanical stress is an important regulator of chondrocyte function, but it is unknown how chondrocytes respond to mechanical stress. This study was performed to clarify the underlying mechanisms in human chondrocytes.Design Using a Flexercell strain unit (25% maximal elongation, 0.05 Hz-cyclic manner, and 48h), mechanical stimulation was applied to confluent CS-OKB cells, human chondrocytic cells. To analyze transcriptional changes in response to mechanical stress, differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR) and Northern blot analysis were performed.Results Among several differentially displayed fragments, one fragment (927bp) tentatively named as SIC (Stress-Induced Chondrocytic) 1 was isolated from the human chondrocytic cell line and identified as one of the high molecular mass heat shock proteins.Conclusion Mechanical stress induces the expression of a high molecular mass heat shock protein corresponding to SIC 1 in human chondrocytic cells. SIC 1 may play an important role in the mechanical stress-responded metabolism of human chondrocytes