Before revision:  Theory of polymer brushes and models of side-chain-induced internal tension show our data are consistent with a polydisperse aggrecan population, attributable to varying degrees of glycosylation  .
After revision:  We use models of force-extension behavior to show that repulsion between the aggrecans induces an internal tension in the HA chain. Through reference to theories of bottlebrush polymer behavior, we demonstrate that the experimental values of internal tension are consistent with a polydisperse aggrecan population, attributable to varying degrees of glycosylation .