Modeling and measurement of intermolecular interaction forces between cartilage ECM macromolecules

The mechanical properties of cartilage tissue depend largely on the macromolecules that make up its extracellular matrix (ECM). Aggrecan is the most abundant proteoglycan in articular cartilage. It is composed of a core protein with highly charged, densely packed glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains, which are responsible for [approximately] 50% of the equilibrium compressive stiffness of the tissue. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high resolution force spectroscopy (HRFS), it is now possible to directly measure nanoscale interactions between ECM macromolecules in physiologically relevant aqueous solution conditions. In order to interpret these data and compare them to macroscopic tissue measurements, a combination of experiments and theoretical modeling must be used. In this thesis, a new molecular-scale continuum Poisson-Boltzmann (PB)-based model was developed to predict the intermolecular interactions between GAG macromolecules by taking into account nanoscale space varying electric potential and fields between neighboring GAGs. A rod-like charge density distribution describing the time averaged space occupied by a single GAG chain was formulated. The spacing and size of the rods greatly influenced the calculated force even when the total charge was kept constant. The theoretical simulations described HRFS experimental data of the normal interaction force between two surfaces chemically end-grafted with an array of GAGs ("brushes") more accurately than simpler models which approximate the GAG charge as a homogeneous volume or planar surface charge. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of nonuniform molecular-level charge distribution on the measured GAG interaction forces. Normal interaction forces between aggrecan macromolecules were measured using contact mode AFM imaging and by HRFS.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Dean, Delphine Marguerite Denise, 1978-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alan J. Grodzinsky.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/30153

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/30153