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Histochemistry and cell biology2008; 131(2); 219-229; doi: 10.1007/s00418-008-0516-6

Differing in vitro biology of equine, ovine, porcine and human articular chondrocytes derived from the knee joint: an immunomorphological study.

Abstract: For lack of sufficient human cartilage donors, chondrocytes isolated from various animal species are used for cartilage tissue engineering. The present study was undertaken to compare key features of cultured large animal and human articular chondrocytes of the knee joint. Primary chondrocytes were isolated from human, porcine, ovine and equine full thickness knee joint cartilage and investigated flow cytometrically for their proliferation rate. Synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins collagen type II, cartilage proteoglycans, collagen type I, fibronectin and cytoskeletal organization were studied in freshly isolated or passaged chondrocytes using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Chondrocytes morphology, proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis and cytoskeleton assembly differed substantially between these species. Proliferation was higher in animal derived compared with human chondrocytes. All chondrocytes expressed a cartilage-specific extracellular matrix. However, after monolayer expansion, cartilage proteoglycan expression was barely detectable in equine chondrocytes whereby fibronectin and collagen type I deposition increased compared with porcine and human chondrocytes. Animal-derived chondrocytes developed more F-actin fibers during culturing than human chondrocytes. With respect to proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis, human chondrocytes shared more similarity with porcine than with ovine or equine chondrocytes. These interspecies differences in chondrocytes in vitro biology should be considered when using animal models.
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Publication Date: 2008-10-07 PubMed ID: 18839203DOI: 10.1007/s00418-008-0516-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study explores the differences in characteristics of knee joint chondrocytes (cells that make up cartilage) taken from humans and various animals such as pigs, sheep, and horses. The findings reveal that though all chondrocytes produced cartilage-specific external matrix, there were notable variations in proliferation rate, morphological appearance and the synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins between the species.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved the isolation of primary chondrocytes from full thickness knee joint cartilage of humans, pigs, sheep, and horses.
  • The proliferation rate of these chondrocytes, or their rate of growth and reproduction, were then studied using flow cytometry.
  • The study further investigated the synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen type II, cartilage proteoglycans, collagen type I, and fibronectin. This was done both in freshly isolated or passaged chondrocytes using immunohistochemistry and western blotting methods.
  • The morphology or the form and structure of chondrocytes and the cytoskeleton assembly were also carefully observed and analyzed.

Main Findings

  • The study found that the cell replication or proliferation rate was higher in animal derived chondrocytes than in human chondrocytes.
  • Although all chondrocytes expressed a cartilage-specific extracellular matrix, there were differences noted after monolayer expansion. Specifically, the study observed that the expression of cartilage proteoglycan was barely detectable in chondrocytes derived from horses.
  • Furthermore, the researchers found that there was an enhanced deposition of fibronectin and collagen type I in horse chondrocytes when compared with those derived from pigs and humans.
  • The study also observed that the animal-derived chondrocytes developed more F-actin fibers during the culture process compared to human chondrocytes.
  • In terms of proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis, human chondrocytes were found to have more resemblances with pig chondrocytes than with sheep or horse chondrocytes.

Implications of the Study

  • The research suggests that these significant interspecies differences in chondrocytes’ in vitro biology should be taken into account when using animal models in cartilage tissue engineering or related studies.
  • In particular, the lack of sufficient human cartilage donors makes this study significant as it provides insights into the feasibility and challenges of using chondrocytes isolated from different animal species.

Cite This Article

APA
Schulze-Tanzil G, Müller RD, Kohl B, Schneider N, Ertel W, Ipaktchi K, Hünigen H, Gemeinhardt O, Stark R, John T. (2008). Differing in vitro biology of equine, ovine, porcine and human articular chondrocytes derived from the knee joint: an immunomorphological study. Histochem Cell Biol, 131(2), 219-229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-008-0516-6

Publication

Histochemistry and cell biology
ISSN: 1432-119X
NlmUniqueID: 9506663
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 131
Issue: 2
Pages: 219-229

Researcher Affiliations

Schulze-Tanzil, G
  • Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité-Campus Benjamin Franklin, FEM, Krahmerstrasse 6-10, 12207, Berlin, Germany. gundula.schulze-tanzil@charite.de
Müller, R D
    Kohl, B
      Schneider, N
        Ertel, W
          Ipaktchi, K
            Hünigen, H
              Gemeinhardt, O
                Stark, R
                  John, T

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Actins / analysis
                    • Animals
                    • Cartilage, Articular / cytology
                    • Cell Proliferation
                    • Cells, Cultured
                    • Chondrocytes / chemistry
                    • Chondrocytes / cytology
                    • Chondrocytes / metabolism
                    • Cytoskeleton
                    • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / analysis
                    • Horses
                    • Humans
                    • Knee Joint
                    • Sheep
                    • Species Specificity
                    • Swine

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