OBJECTIVE Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) offers a potential solution for cartilage repair but is currently hindered by loss of the chondrocyte differentiated phenotype. To further our understanding of the mechanism of dedifferentiation, changes in the phenotype in relation to mechanotransduction were recorded in response to monolayer culture. METHODS Bovine cartilage...

Studies have suggested that continuous Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in nascent cartilaginous skeletal elements blocks chondrocyte hypertrophy and endochondral ossification, whereas signaling starting at later stages stimulates hypertrophy and ossification, indicating that Wnt/beta-catenin roles are developmentally regulated. To test this conclusion further, we created transgenic mice expressing a...

The Swarm rat chondrosarcoma (RCS) cell lines derived from a spontaneous neoplasm in a rat spine several decades ago have provided excellent models of chondrosarcoma tumor development. In addition the robust chondrocyte phenotype (expression of a large panel of genes identical to that seen in normal rat cartilage) and the ability to generate cell clones have facilitated their extensive use in t...

The limited healing capability of articular cartilage has primarily been associated with changes in chondrocyte phenotype. Chondrocytes, resident cells in articular cartilage, are responsible for the control of extracellular matrix turnover. On the other hand, ECM homeostasis plays important role in ensuring appropriate cartilage tissue function. Hence, to achieve this state of balance, 2 diffe...

Synovial joints and articular cartilage play crucial roles in the skeletal function, but relatively little is actually known about their embryonic development. Here we first focused on the interzone, a thin mesenchymal cell layer forming at future joint sites that is widely thought to be critical for joint and articular cartilage development. To determine interzone cell origin and fate, we micr...

Prepubertal rabbit epiphyseal chondrocytes were grown in high density primary culture for 3 d. They were then incubated for 3 additional d in serum-free culture medium to which bFGF (1-50 ng/ml) was added. During the last 24 h incubation period, either IGF1 (1-80 ng/ml) or Insulin (1-5 micrograms/ml) was added to the culture medium. Chondrocyte DNA was significantly augmented with the increasin...

The growth plate lacks vascular tissues and is solely composed of chondrocytes. The growth plate is composed of three layers, i.e., the resting, proliferating and hyper-trophic chondrocyte layers. The chon-drocytes in the resting and proliferating layers proliferate and then they uniformly maturate toward the diaphysis to become hypertrophic chondrocytes, which lose the ability to proliferate. ...