The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on chondrocyte morphology

M. E. Jahns, E. Lou, N. G. Durdle, K. Bagnall, V. J. Raso, D. Cinats, R. D.C. Barley, J. Cinats, N. M. Jomha

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating joint disease where the articular cartilage surface degrades and is unable to repair itself through natural processes. Chondrocytes reside within the cartilage matrix and maintain its structure. We conducted in vitro experiments to investigate the morphological response of cultured human chondrocytes under different pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) conditions. In the control experiments, cultured chondrocytes attached to the bottom of a culture dish typically displayed either a stellate or spindle morphology with extended processes. Experimental chondrocyte cultures were placed in a Helmholtz coil to which a ramp waveform was applied. Exposure to PEMFs caused the chondrocytes to retract their processes, becoming spherical in shape. This change in morphology followed a progression from stellate to spindle to spherical. These morphological changes were reflected in an average reduction of 30% in the surface contact area of the chondrocytes to the culture dish. Understanding the mechanisms by which PEMFs affect the morphology of chondrocytes will help lead to new treatments for osteoarthritis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)917-925
Number of pages9
JournalMedical and Biological Engineering and Computing
Volume45
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2007

Keywords

  • Articular cartilage
  • Chondrocyte
  • Morphology
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Pulsed electromagnetic fields

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on chondrocyte morphology'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this