Obtaining Chondroprogenitors (Articular Cartilage-Derived Cells) via Explant Methodology

Obtaining articular cartilage-derived cells (chondroprogenitors) by explant methodology is a reliable approach for isolating migratory progenitor cells that retain strong chondrogenic potential. This method allows cells to emerge naturally from small cartilage fragments without enzymatic digestion. The procedure consists of plating cartilage explants on a plastic surface with culture medium, from which cells subsequently migrate and adhere to the substrate. Compared with enzymatic isolation, the explant approach minimizes cellular stress and better reproduces the physiological microenvironment of cartilage tissue. This protocol can be applied to both osteoarthritic and non-osteoarthritic samples, enabling comparative studies on disease-related phenotypic differences. Overall, this technique offers a reproducible, straightforward, and minimally invasive strategy for obtaining functional chondroprogenitor cells suitable for cartilage regeneration research. Key features • This protocol is used to generate chondroprogenitors (articular cartilage-derived cells) from normal or osteoarthritis cartilage of the knee by explant-based isolation methodology. • This protocol enables the isolation of chondroprogenitors without enzymatic digestion, preserving native cell-matrix interactions and minimizing chondrocyte dedifferentiation while maintaining stable chondrogenic gene expression. • The method relies on the intrinsic migratory capacity of chondroprogenitor cells, allowing the selective enrichment of a highly proliferative and chondrogenic population. • The method is based on a technically simple, low-cost, and scalable approach suitable for both research and translational applications.