Figure 7

Summary of interactions between FN-f, oxygen tension and biomechanical signals. The presence of FN-f combined with low oxygen tension amplifies catabolic activities and increased production of NO, PGE2, MMPs and cytokines. Catabolic activities were reduced with L-NIO. However, the response was abolished following stimulation with biomechanical signals alone leading to restoration of anabolic effects. The magnitude in the FN-f and loading-induced response was broadly similar for FN-f treated constructs cultured in the presence and absence of L-NIO at 5 and 21% oxygen tension. Normalised values were expressed as a percentage change and either compared to unstrained constructs treated with FN-f and FN-f + L-NIO (A) or for unstrained and strained constructs treated with FN-f and FN-f + L-NIO (B), where n = 8 to 12; ± SEM.