ADAMTS	a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs
BMP	bone morphogenetic protein
cAMP	cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CREB	cAMP response element-binding protein
DMEM	Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium
dNTP	deoxynucleotide triphosphate
ECM	extracellular matrix
EDTA	ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid
EGTA	ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetra acetic acid
FBS	foetal bovine serum
FGF	fibroblast growth factor
HH	hedgehog
HEPES	4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine ethanesulfonic acid
Hyal	hyaluronidase
IHH	Indian Hedgehog
MAPK	mitogen-activated protein kinase
MMP	matrix metalloproteinase
MS	mechanical stress
PAC1	pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type I receptor
PACAP	pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide
PBS	phosphate buffered saline
PBST	phosphate buffered saline supplemented with 1% Tween-20
PKA	protein kinase A
PKC	protein kinase C
RT-PCR	reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction
Runx2	Runt-related transcription factor 2
SHH	Sonic Hedgehog
Sox9	SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 9
TGFβ	transforming growth factor-β
VIP	vasoactive intestinal polypeptide
VPAC	vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptor
WNT	wingless int1