The hierarchical organization of cartilage proteoglycans is investigated on different length and time scales using osmotic pressure measurements, small angle neutron scattering (SANS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), static and dynamic light scattering and neutron spin echo techniques. Osmotic pressure measurements reveal association of aggrecan bottlebrushes into microgel-like assemblies. SAXS, SANS and light scattering results indicate weak interpenetration between neighboring aggrecan molecules. As opposed to DNA and many synthetic polyelectrolytes, which display great sensitivity to ion valence, aggrecan exhibits exceptional insensitivity to calcium ions in the physiological ion concentration range and beyond. This property allows aggrecan to play a role of ion reservoir that can mediate calcium metabolism in cartilage and bone.
Keywords: aggrecan; osmotic pressure; self-assembly; small angle scattering.