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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

A 3D System for Culturing Human Articular Chondrocytes in Synovial Fluid
Published on: January 31, 2012
[Ultrastructure of cultured cartilage, articular cartilage, growth plate and meniscus]
Jian Wang1, Zhi-ming Yang, Ting-wu Qin
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan, P.R. China 610041.
Objective:
To investigate possibility of cartilage cultured in centrifuge tube as graft materials.
Methods:
Articular chondrocytes isolated from a 3-week-old rabbit formed cartilage after cultivation for 2 weeks. Articular cartilage of humeral head, growth plate of proximal tibia and meniscus were collected from a 6-week-old rabbit. The ultrastructure of chondrocytes and extracellular matrix in the three kinds of cartilages and cultured cartilage were observed by transmission electronic microscopy.
Results:
Cartilage cultured in centrifuge tube possessed unique ultrastructure and was similar to articular cartilage and growth plate, but it was markedly different from meniscus. The four kinds of cartilages were characteristic of respectively different chondrocytes and extracellular matrix. Cultured cartilage showed typical apoptosis of chondrocytes and "dark chondrocytes" appeared in growth plate. Condrocyte apoptosis was not seen in articular cartilage and meniscus.
Conclusion:
Cartilage cultured in centrifuge tube has unique ultrastructure and may be used as graft materials for articular cartilage and growth plate.
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