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The effect of molecular weight on hyaluronan’s cartilage boundary lubricating ability e alone and in combination with proteoglycan 4

J J Kwiecinski, S G Dorosz, T E Ludwig, S Abubacker, Mary K Cowman, T A Schmidt
hyaluronanCartilage boundary lubricationProteoglycan 4 (PRG4)
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Key takeaways
  1. 01Higher molecular weight hyaluronan lubricates cartilage more effectively
  2. 02The protein PRG4 also reduces friction between cartilage surfaces
  3. 03PRG4 and hyaluronan work together to improve lubrication
  4. 04This combined effect is not dependent on hyaluronan's molecular weight
  5. 05PRG4 may compensate for lower molecular weight hyaluronan

Hyaluronan's lubricating ability depends on its molecular weight, but the protein PRG4 can enhance the effect even for lower-quality hyaluronan.

Abstract

Objectives: (1) assess the molecular weight dependence of hyaluronan's (HA) cartilage boundary lubricating ability, alone and in combination with proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), at physiological concentrations; (2) determine if HA and PRG4 interact in solution via electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).

Methods: The cartilage boundary lubricating ability of a broad range of MW HA (20 kDa, 132 kDa, 780 kDa, 1.5 MDa, and 5 MDa) at 3.33 mg/ml, both alone and in combination with PRG4 at 450 μg/ml, was assessed using a previously described cartilage-on-cartilage friction test. Static, μ(static, Neq), and kinetic, <μ(kinetic, Neq)>, were calculated. An EMSA was conducted with PRG4 and monodisperse 150 kDa and 1,000 kDa HA.

Results: Friction coefficients were reduced by HA, in a MW-dependent manner. Values of <μ(kinetic, Neq)> in 20 kDa HA, 0.098 (0.089, 0.108), were significantly greater compared to both 780 kDa, 0.080 (0.072, 0.088), and 5 MDa, 0.079 (0.070, 0.089). Linear regression showed a significant correlation between both μ(static, Neq) and <μ(kinetic, Neq)>, and log HA MW. Friction coefficients were also reduced by PRG4, and with subsequent addition of HA; however the synergistic effect was not dependent on HA MW. Values of <μ(kinetic, Neq)> in PRG4, 0.080 (0.047, 0.113), were significantly greater than values of PRG4+various MW HA (similar in value, averaging 0.040 (0.033, 0.047)). EMSA indicated that migration of 150 kDa and 1,000 kDa HA was retarded when combined with PRG4 at high PRG4:HA ratios.

Conclusions: These results suggest alterations in HA MW could significantly affect synovial fluid's cartilage boundary lubricating ability, yet this diminishment in function could be circumvented by physiological levels of PRG4 forming a complex, potentially in solution, with HA.

Cite this study
APA
J J Kwiecinski, S G Dorosz, T E Ludwig, S Abubacker, Mary K Cowman, & T A Schmidt (2011). The effect of molecular weight on hyaluronan’s cartilage boundary lubricating ability e alone and in combination with proteoglycan 4. https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/the-effect-of-molecular-weight-on-hyaluronans-cartilage-boundary-lubricating-ability-e-alone-and-in-combination-with-proteoglycan-4/
MLA
J J Kwiecinski, et al. "The effect of molecular weight on hyaluronan’s cartilage boundary lubricating ability e alone and in combination with proteoglycan 4." 2011, https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/the-effect-of-molecular-weight-on-hyaluronans-cartilage-boundary-lubricating-ability-e-alone-and-in-combination-with-proteoglycan-4/.
Chicago
J J Kwiecinski et al. 2011. "The effect of molecular weight on hyaluronan’s cartilage boundary lubricating ability e alone and in combination with proteoglycan 4.". https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/the-effect-of-molecular-weight-on-hyaluronans-cartilage-boundary-lubricating-ability-e-alone-and-in-combination-with-proteoglycan-4/
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