The localization of proteoglycans and glycoproteins in the hyaline cartilage

Antibodies to proteoglycan (PG) and glycoprotein of bovine nasal cartilage were conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and with horseradish peroxidase. Hyaluronidase digestion of cartilage tissue-specimens increased the intensity of immune reactions; pronase digestion or extraction with 4 M guanidinium chloride abolished the staining. In the intercellular matrix fine filaments beaded with small granules were seen forming an irregular network. The interstices of the network are filled with collagen fibers linked together by the filaments and granules. In view of the linear conformation of core proteins of PGs and the globular conformation of glycoproteins (link proteins), it may be supposed that the granules and filaments represent these two protein components of PG-aggregates. In chondrocytes a homogeneous staining was recorded in the endoplasmic reticulum, in the juxtanuclear areas and in several smooth-walled vesicles and elongated areas situating subjacent to the cell membrane. In contrast to the extracellular immune reactions, this homogeneous intracellular staining was never enhanced by hyaluronidase digestion. This is interpreted in the sense that conformation changes of molecules secreted, and the aggregation of PGs, occur extracellularly.