[Influence of human bone morphogenetic protein (hBMP) on the articular cartilage pieces cultured in vitro]

To understand the influence of hBMP on the articular cartilage, we investigated the expression of osteocalcin (BGP) and hBMP, and calcium deposit in cartilage matrix induced by hBMP. Under the inducing of hBMP, chondrocytes in cartilage pieces begun to express BGP and hBMP. The hBMP promoted calcium deposition in the cartilage matrix, hBMP made some chondrocytes further differentiat into osteoblast-like cells. We consider that these osteoblast-like cells might be other source of osteoblasts in endochondral osteogenesis.