Histologic assessment of lymphokine-mediated suppression of chondrocyte glycosaminoglycan synthesis

An experimental model has been developed to histologically assess the effect of T cell mitogen-induced lymphokines derived from rabbit splenocytes on proteoglycan matrix depleted auricular cartilage explant glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Explant exposure to lymphokine was shown by light and electron microscopy to significantly suppress chondrocyte glycosaminoglycan regenerative capacity. This inhibitory effect was reversible in that synthetic activity could be restored by placement of explants in control media after as long as 12 days of lymphokine exposure.