Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025
08:42
Real-time Visualization and Analysis of Chondrocyte Injury Due to Mechanical Loading in Fully Intact Murine Cartilage Explants
Published on: January 7, 2019
6.9K
Chondrocyte death involvement in osteoarthritis
S Salucci1,2, E Falcieri1, M Battistelli3
1Department of Biomolecular Sciences (DiSB), Urbino University Carlo Bo, Via Cà le Suore, 2, Campus Scientifico Enrico Mattei, 61029, Urbino (PU), Italy.
Cell and Tissue Research
|May 25, 2022
Summary
Chondrocytes, the cells in articular cartilage, can die through a non-classical process called chondroptosis. This unique cell death mechanism may offer new therapeutic targets for cartilage disorders like osteoarthritis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Chondrocyte apoptosis contributes to articular cartilage damage in osteoarthritis and other cartilage disorders.
- Micromass cultures are valuable for studying chondrocyte biology and death mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare different types of chondrocyte death, focusing on chondroptosis.
- To highlight morpho-functional alterations in articular cartilage and chondrocyte death in degeneration.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for joint diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review comparing data on chondrocyte death.
- Analysis of in vitro studies using tridimensional chondrocyte culture (micromass cultures).
Main Results:
- Chondrocytes exhibit necrotic and sometimes apoptotic features, but primarily undergo a non-classical cell death: chondroptosis.
- Chondroptosis shares some features with classical apoptosis (e.g., cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, caspase involvement).
- A key feature of chondroptosis is its non-phagocytic, inflammation-free elimination of cellular remnants, likely due to the unique chondrocyte environment.
Conclusions:
- Chondroptosis is a distinct cell death mechanism in chondrocytes, crucial for cartilage health.
- Understanding chondroptosis mechanisms can reveal new therapeutic strategies for osteoarthritis and other joint diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
3.6K
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
3.6K
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
5.8K
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
5.8K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
7.9K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
7.9K
01:30Apoptosis
12.0K
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
12.0K
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
4.0K
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
4.0K
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
3.2K
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during...
3.2K