BACKGROUND/AIMS: In articular cartilage, chondrocytes are the predominant cell type. A long-term stay in space can lead to bone loss and cartilage breakdown. Due to the poor regenerative capacity of cartilage, this may impair the crewmembers' mobility and influence mission activities. Beside microgravity other factors such as cosmic radiation and vibration might be important for cartilage degeneration. Vibration at different frequencies showed various effects on cartilage in vivo, but knowledge about its impact on chondrocytes in vitro is sparse.

METHODS: Human chondrocytes were exposed to a vibration device, simulating the vibration profile occurring during parabolic flights, for 24 h (VIB) and compared to static controls. Phase-contrast microscopy, immunofluorescence, F-actin and TUNEL staining as well as quantitative real-time PCR were performed to examine effects on morphology, cell viability and shape as well as gene expression. The results were compared to earlier studies using semantic analyses.

RESULTS: No morphological changes or cytoskeletal alterations were observed in VIB and no apoptotic cells were found. A reorganization and increase in fibronectin were detected in VIB samples by immunofluorescence technique. PXN, VCL, ANXA1, ANXA2, BAX, and BCL2 revealed differential regulations.

CONCLUSION: Long-term VIB did not damage human chondrocytes in vitro. The reduction of ANXA2, and up-regulation of ANXA1, PXN and VCL mRNAs suggest that long-term vibration might even positively influence cultured chondrocytes.