We describe the isolation and the ultrastructural characteristics of adult bovine articular chondrocytes in vitro . Slices of bovine articular cartilage undergo sequential digestions with pronase and collagenase in order to release cells . Chondrocytes are plated at high density (1 x 105 cells/cm 2 ) in culture dishes or roller bottles with Ham's F-12 medium, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum . Before culture, chondrocytes are freed of surrounding territorial matrix . Within the first few days of culture they re-establish a territorial matrix . As time progresses, chondrocytes synthesize both territorial and extraterritorial matrices . The matrices are rich in collagen fibrils and ruthenium red-positive proteoglycans . These features are most apparent in mass roller cultures in which aggregates of cells and matrix appear as long streaks and nodules . This morphology reveals an organization of chondrocytes and their matrices that is similar to that of the parent articular cartilage in vivo .

No abstract

No abstract