Abstract
Chondrons are the main functional microanatomical units in cartilage, consisting of chondrocytes and the directly surrounding pericellular matrix (PCM). They have attracted attention as a more physiological and biomimetic in vitro model for evaluating chondrocyte function and metabolism as compared to single chondrocytes. Chondrons may be more suitable for in vitro studies than primary chondrocytes that have been isolated without PCM since their in situ and in vivo states remain intact: chondrocytes within their PCM do not undergo the rapid dedifferentiation that proliferating single chondrocytes undergo in culture. Therefore, chondrons may be a better model for studying chondrocyte biology and responses to pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and novel therapeutics. In this chapter, we present a concise and unified protocol for enzymatic isolation of intact chondrons from human articular cartilage and determination of their viability.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
