The perichondrial ring as a reservoir for precartilaginous cells. In vivo model in young chicks’ epiphysis

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to illustrate the routes of migration of precartilaginous cells from the perichondrial ring of LaCroix, as a potential reservoir for growth-plate germ cells. Methods: Chondrocytes derived from the ring of LaCroix of young chicks' proximal tibia were cultured in vitro and transfected with adenovirus vector containing the gene encoding for Escherichia coli (beta)-galactosidase (lacZ) gene, which allows assessment of the migratory routes of these cells. The lacZ-transfected cells were injected back into the perichondrial ring of LaCroix of young chicks' proximal tibias. Four weeks later the migration root was assessed microscopically. Results: Injection of cells derived from the ring of LaCroix of neonate chicks, transfected in culture with adenoviruses containing LacZ reporter gene, allows the assessment of migratory potential of these cells. Stained cells were found at the outer layer of the epiphysis, particularly in areas adjacent to the perichondrial ring. Further longitudinal histopathological studies along the bone axis demonstrated a condensed layer of the stained cells arranged horizontally along parts of the physis.

Changes of number of cells expressing proliferation and progenitor cell markers with age in rabbit intervertebral discs

“…Cell renewal and progenitor cells have been found in the articular cartilage in the knee joint [36][37][38]. Modulation of progenitor cells in cartilage tissue in situ with up-regulating sox-9 can enhance their regeneration potential [39].…”

Achondroplasia: Development, pathogenesis, and therapy

“…The inner layer of the perichondrium is populated by densely packed cells in the groove of Ranvier and surrounding perichondrial ring of LaCroix (Ranvier, 1873; Ranvier, 1889; Shapiro et al, 1977). This structure is important for regulating longitudinal bone growth and serves as a source of progenitor cells that populate the periosteum and cortical bone (Robinson et al, 1999; Fenichel et al, 2006; Karlsson et al, 2009). The perichondrium thus serves as a template for the formation of cortical bone.…”

Joint TGF-β Type II Receptor-Expressing Cells: Ontogeny and Characterization as Joint Progenitors

“…The groove of Ranvier, the infrapatellar fat pad, and the superficial layer of the articular cartilage are regions where joint progenitor/stem cells have been hypothetically allocated [10,[13][14][15][16][17]. The groove of Ranvier is a fibrocartilagenous circular structure constituted by several layers of cells surrounding the longbone epiphyseal growth plates, extending around the developing joint and becoming part of the perichondrium/ periosteum in adulthood [16,18,19].…”