Does basic fibroblast growth factor mediate transduction of mechanical signals when articular cartilage is loaded?
Cyclical loading of articular cartilage causes bFGF-dependent activation of ERK and synthesis of TIMP-1.
The results of this secondary analysis suggest that the PCS can be appropriately evaluated as an interval-level scale when the composite 13-item score is considered, as has been standard practice to date. Implications for clinical and research use are discussed.