Tribology: A portal to understand joint failure?

✍ Scribed by Markus A. Wimmer; Thomas M. Schmid; Joshua J. Jacobs

• Book ID: 101649058
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 48 KB
• Volume: 56
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0004-3591
• DOI: 10.1002/art.22973

✦ Synopsis

Proteoglycan 4, lubricin, superficial zone protein, and megakaryocyte stimulating factor are synonyms for a proteoglycan that provides lubricating properties within synovial joints. It is synthesized by cells lining synovial joints, including synovial cells, superficial zone chondrocytes, and tendon cells. The lubricating properties of the molecule have been studied in several laboratories and have been shown to reduce the coefficient of friction in cartilage-on-glass (1,2), rubber-on-glass (3), and cartilage-on-cartilage (4) test systems.