Mechanoregulation of joint morphogenesis : investigating the role of muscle induced mechanical forces in the regulation of differentiation and growth in the avian knee joint

Abstract

Muscle induced mechanical forces have been implicated as an important regulator in the development of the skeleton. Immobilisation studies have demonstrated that in the absence of muscle contraction, skeletal elements are shorter, cartilage growth is reduced and cavity formation fails (Nowlan et ah, 2008b; Osborne et ah, 2002; Drachman and Sokoloff, 1966). The avian knee joint is a complex 3D structure and while we know much about the steps involved in the formation of joints in general and some of the molecules that regulate this process, it is not yet clear how this complex structure develops its characteristic shape and structure.