Analysis of tissue development from multidisciplinary approaches can result in more integrative biological findings, and can eventually allow the development of more effective bioengineering methods. In this study, we analyzed the initial steps of mineral formation during secondary ossification of mouse femur based on biological and bioengineering approaches. We first found that some chondrocytes burst near the mineralized area. External factors that could trigger chondrocyte burst were then investigated. Chondrocyte burst was shown to be modulated by mechanical and osmotic pressure. A hypotonic solution, as well as mechanical stress, significantly induced chondrocyte burst. We further hypothesized that chondrocyte burst could be associated with space-making for mineral expansion. In fact, ex vivo culture of femur epiphysis in hypotonic conditions, or under mechanical pressure, enhanced mineral formation, compared to normal culture conditions. Additionally, the effect of mechanical pressure on bone formation in vivo was investigated by immobilization of mouse lower limbs to decrease the body pressure onto the joints. The results showed that limb immobilization suppressed bone formation. Together, these results suggest chondrocyte burst as a novel fate of chondrocytes, and that manipulation of chondrocyte burst with external mechano-chemical stimuli could be an additional approach for cartilage and bone tissue engineering.

中文翻译：

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软骨细胞爆裂促进了矿物质膨胀的空间

通过多学科方法对组织发育进行分析可以得出更加综合的生物学发现，并最终可以开发出更有效的生物工程方法。在这项研究中，我们基于生物学和生物工程学方法分析了小鼠股骨继发骨化过程中矿物质形成的初始步骤。我们首先发现一些软骨细胞在矿化区域附近破裂。然后研究了可能触发软骨细胞爆发的外部因素。软骨细胞的破裂显示受机械和渗透压调节。低渗溶液以及机械应力会显着诱导软骨细胞爆发。我们进一步假设，软骨细胞的破裂可能与扩容矿物质的空间有关。实际上，离体与正常培养条件相比，在低渗条件下或在机械压力下进行股骨骨physi的培养可增强矿物质的形成。此外，通过固定小鼠下肢以降低关节上的身体压力，研究了机械压力对体内骨骼形成的影响。结果表明，固定肢体可抑制骨形成。总之，这些结果表明软骨细胞的破裂是软骨细胞的一种新的命运，而用外部机械化学刺激来操纵软骨细胞的破裂可能是软骨和骨组织工程的另一种方法。