Normal knee range of motion varies slightly between individuals and measures approximately 0° to -5° of extension to 140° of flexion. A full arc of motion is required for normal gait and knee function. Loss of normal joint range of motion may occur after a traumatic knee injury and may contribute to increased pain, lower functional outcome scores, and decreased patient satisfaction. Although mu...

The normal function of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is dependent on the maintenance of tight adhesions between cells. In order to identify cell surface molecules which may be important for maintaining the integrity of the RPE, we have undertaken a combined functional, biochemical, and immunohistochemical analysis of cell surface proteins of the RPE. These studies have led to the identif...

Integrins are a large family of cell– extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell–cell adhesion molecules that regulate development and tissue homeostasis by controlling cell migration, survival, proliferation and differentiation (Hynes, 2002). They are non-covalently associated heterodimers consisting of aand bsubunits. On the cell surface, integrins exist in a conformation with either high (active) o...

Mechanical homeostasis-a fundamental process by which cells maintain stable states under environmental perturbations-is regulated by two subcellular mechanotransducers: cytoskeleton tension and integrin-mediated focal adhesions (FAs). Here, we show that single-cell mechanical homeostasis is collectively driven by the distinct, graduated dynamics (rheostasis) of subcellular cytoskeleton tension ...

In this paper, we develop a mechanochemical modeling framework in which the spatial-temporal evolution of receptor-ligand bonds takes place at the interface between two compliant media in the presence of an externally applied tensile load. Bond translocation, dissociation and association occur simultaneously, resulting in dynamic aggregation of molecular bonds that is regulated by mechanical fa...

Within blood vessels, endothelial cellâ€"cell and cellâ€"matrix adhesions are crucial to preserve barrier function, and these adhesions are tightly controlled during vascular development, angiogenesis, and transendothelial migration of inflammatory cells. Endothelial cellular signaling that occurs via the family of Rho GTPases coordinates these cell adhesion structures through cytoskeletal remo...

Wound healing crucially relies on the mechanical activity of fibroblasts responding to TGFβ1 and to forces transmitted across focal adhesions. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a central adapter recruited to integrin β1 tails in focal adhesions mediating the communication between cells and extracellular matrix. Here, we show that fibroblast-restricted inactivation of ILK in mice leads to impaired...

Congenital syngnathia is a rare anomaly characterised by the presence of soft tissue (synechia) or bony adhesions (synostosis) between the maxilla and mandible. A wide spectrum and range of severity have been documented in case reports. Primarily it manifests in the inability to open the mouth; impacting on mandibular growth, nutrition, speech and management of the airway. The bony adhesions ca...