Molecular Changes on Cartilage Development

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue primarily focuses on how the macromolecular composition and architecture of articular cartilage and its unique biomechanical properties play a pivotal role in the ability of articular cartilage to withstand mechanical loads several magnitudes higher than the weight of the individual. Scientific contributions on short-term and long-term effects of exercise on articular cartilage and the importance of appropriate exercises for normal and diseased or aberrated cartilage are welcomed. 

Joints are composed of specialized connective tissues which, from a functional point of view, act synergistically to effectively and efficiently deal with the mechanical loads encountered over a lifetime. When performing various tasks, such as standing, walking, or running, the knee frequently encounters forces up to several magnitudes higher than body weight. 

From a theoretical perspective, one may reason that, as intermittent dynamic loading is required for cartilage health, exercise, and physical activity, it should be beneficial in view of the structural longevity of the knee joint. However, in the context of preclinical cartilage biology, there are several unanswered questions: 

1. What exactly is the relationship between exercise and cartilage?
2. Can cartilage be changed or influenced in ageing conditions?
3. Is running chondroprotective or harmful for the cartilage?
4. Which is the role of synoviocytes in the cartilage tribology during static or dynamic conditions?
5. What are the morphomolecular changes that occur in the cartilage during movement?
6. Which are the effects of physical activity on articular cartilage and adjacent tissues such as bone, muscle, tendons and ligaments. 

This Special Issue will attempt to answer these and other non-response questions. Since IJMS is a journal of molecular science, thus pure clinical studies will not be suitable for our Special Issue. However, preclinical or pure model submissions with biomolecular and morphomolecular experiments are welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Musumeci
Guest Editor

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• articular cartilage 
• exercise 
• physical activity 
• chondrons 
• cartilage extracellular matrix 
• articular cartilage collagens 
• proteoglycans 
• synoviocytes 
• noncollagenous proteins 
• glycoproteins 
• cartilage matrix compartmentalization 
• aging of articular cartilage 
• joint arthropathy and effect of exercise 
• nutrition effects on cartilage 
• osteoarthritis 
• mechanobiology