# MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY OF ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT · 1989 · $197,285

## Abstract

In osteoarthritis the integrity of articular cartilage is damaged,
compromising the mechanical functioning, and the self-repair capability of
the tissue.  Both of these tissue functions derive from the properties of
the macromolecules comprising the extensive extracellular matrix of adult
articular cartilage.

The goal of this project is to elucidate the roles of collagen and
proteoglycan, the principal matrix macromolecules, in the biomechanical and
homeostatic functioning of normal and osteoarthritic cartilage.  It aims to
determine the molecular packing of collagen fibrils in normal and
osteoarthritic cartilages from human femurs as a function of age, and to
examine the relationship between the fibrillar structure and proteoglycan
composition; to determine the pathways for the transport of cell nutrients
and matrix precursors throughout articular cartilage in terms of the space
filling structures of collagen and proteoglycan; and to determine the
mechanisms by which collagen fibrils are deformed by osmotic and mechanical
forces, with the view of characterizing at the molecular level the
biomechanics of cartilage, and the factors regulating the self repair
capabilities of cartilage cells.

The research program will consist of x-ray diffraction studies of
cartilages while in different physiological states in conjunction with a
variety of biochemical and physiocochemical protocols.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3158243
- **Project number:** 5R01AR037604-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT
- **SAM.gov UEI:** H6D6JMXJXDE6
- **Principal Investigator:** ELTON P KATZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $197,285
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-08-01 → 1991-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3158243

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3158243, MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY OF ARTICULAR CARTILAGE (5R01AR037604-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3158243. Licensed CC0.

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