Effects of non-enzymatic glycation on the micro- and nano-mechanics of articular cartilage

Journal article (2018)

Authors

P. Rahnamay Moshtagh University Medical Center Utrecht, Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
N. Korthagen University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteit Utrecht
M. H.P. van Rijen University Medical Center Utrecht
R.M. Castelein University Medical Center Utrecht
A.A. Zadpoor Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Harrie Weinans Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering , University Medical Center Utrecht
Research Group
Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Biomechanical Engineering

Research Group

Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics

Abstract

The mechanical properties of articular cartilage depend on the quality of its matrix, which consists of collagens and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can greatly affect
the mechanics of cartilage. In the current study, we simulated the accumulation of AGEs by using L-threose to cross-link collagen molecules in the cartilage matrix (in vitro). The resulting changes in the mechanical properties (stiffness) of cartilage are then measured both at the micrometer-scale (using micro-indenter) and nanometer-scale (using indentation-type atomic force microscopy). Non-enzymatic cross-linking within the cartilage matrix was confirmed by the browning of L-threose-treated samples. We observed > 3 times increase in the
micro-scale stiffness and up to 12-fold increase in the nano-scale stiffness of the glycated cartilage in the peak pertaining to the collagen fibers, which is caused by cartilage network embrittlement. At the molecular level, we found that besides the collagen component, the glycation process also influenced the GAG macromolecules.
Comparing cartilage samples before and after L-threose treatment revealed that artificially induced-AGEs also
decelerate in vitro degradation (likely via matrix metalloproteinases), observed at both micro- and nano-scales.
The combined observations suggest that non-enzymatic glycation may play multiple roles in mechanochemical
functioning of articular cartilage