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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
A 3D System for Culturing Human Articular Chondrocytes in Synovial Fluid
Published on: January 31, 2012
Cyclooxygenase activity in chondrocytes from osteoarthritic and healthy cartilage
C Jacques1, A Sautet, M Moldovan
1UPRES-A CNRS 7079 (1), Orthopedics Department, Paris, France.
Objectives:
To compare prostaglandin production and cyclooxygenase activity in high-density primary cultures of chondrocytes from patients with osteoarthritis and from healthy controls.
Methods:
Chondrocytes harvested from operative specimens obtained during hip or knee arthroplasty were cultured at a very high density for 48 h. Cyclooxygenase activity was evaluated based on prostaglandin E2 levels (radioimmunological assay) after addition of arachidonic acid. The chondrocytes were cultured with and without IL-1 beta and TNF alpha.
Results:
Prostaglandin E2 production and cyclooxygenase activity were significantly higher in cultures of chondrocytes from osteoarthritic than from healthy joints. Adding IL-1 beta to the osteoarthritic chondrocyte cultures further increased the high cyclooxygenase activity, whereas adding TNF alpha alone had no effect.
Conclusion:
Cultured chondrocytes from osteoarthritic joints showed increased prostaglandin E2 production and cyclooxygenase activity.
