In vitro effect of the integrine LAMA4 on motility and cluster formation of human chondrocytes

Background: Cluster formation of hypertrophic chondrocytes is a sign of late stage osteoarthritis. In vitro chondrocytes have the ability to migrate on scaffolds. Important for motility issues in cartilage are integrines, part of the extracellular matrix, important for locomotory stimuli. The integrine Laminin4 is highly present in hypertrophic clusters of chondrocytes. We were interested if a blockade of LAMA4 is leading to less cluster formation.

16