Chondrocytes Propagated In Microcarrier Spinner Culture Display Upregulated Erk2 And P38 Gene Expression

摘要

ERK2 and p38 are members of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) family of intracellular signaling molecules. MAPKs are known to control differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation. The MAPKs are thought to play a role in mechan-otransduction in cartilage. Our observation that ERK1/2 and p38 are upregulated in chondrocyte microcarrier spinner culture is reminiscent of cartilage response to shear and compression (2). The present study reinforces the role of the mechanical environment in promoting phenotype expression.