Vimentin helps a cell handle mechanical stress in cartilage. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in the United States. A degeneration of cartilage due to chondrocytes from osteoarthritic joints that have weaker vimentin structures than chondrocytes from normal joints causes the joint to be susceptible to fractures. Healthy vimentin is necessary to maintain cartilage’s vitality.
Reference:
Haudenschild, D. R., Chen, J., Pang, N., Steklov, N., Grogan, S. P., Lotz, M. K. and D'Lima, D. D. (2011), Vimentin contributes to changes in chondrocyte stiffness in osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 29: 20–25. doi: 10.1002/jor.21198
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