What is chondrocyte differentiation?

Abstract. Chondrocytes communicate with each other mainly via diffusible signals rather than direct cell-to-cell contact. The chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is well regulated by the interactions of varieties of growth factors, cytokines, and signaling molecules.

What is a chondrocyte and what tissue forms?

Chondrocytes are the only specialized cell type found in the cartilage tissue. Their diameters vary in between 7 and 30 µm according to the anatomical layer. These cells form 1–2% of the tissue volume (Alford and Cole, 2005). They are responsible for functional and structural integrity of cartilage.

What is the function of the chondrocyte cell?

Chondrocytes in the AC proliferate and secrete extracellular matrix to maintain and sustain the cartilage. The cells themselves are separated from each other by cartilage matrix [2]. They respond to outside stimuli and tissue damage, and are also responsible for degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis (OA).

What is chondrocyte hypertrophy?

Chondrocyte hypertrophy is a characteristic of osteoarthritis and dominates bone growth. Intra- and extracellular changes that are known to be induced by metabolically active hypertrophic chondrocytes are known to contribute to hypertrophy.

How does Chondrogenesis happen?

Chondrogenesis occurs as a result of condensation of mesenchymal cells, which express collagens I, III and V, and chondroprogenitor cell differentiation with expression of cartilage-specific collagens II, IX, and XI.

What is the structure of chondrocyte?

Structure. The chondrocyte in cartilage matrix has rounded or polygonal structure. The exception occurs at tissue boundaries, for example the articular surfaces of joints, in which chondrocytes may be flattened or discoid. Intra-cellular features are characteristic of a synthetically active cell.

Which factor is responsible for chondrocyte development?

Polypeptide growth factors play a central role in articular chondrocyte function.

What causes chondrocyte hypertrophy?

Thus, chondrocyte hypertrophy is mediated by intracellular ROS levels, which are regulated by ATM. In fact, intracellular ROS were down-regulated by NAC, which reduced ROS levels in the chondrocytes of wild-type and ATM-deficient mice, and NAC treatment was accompanied by inhibition of chondrocyte hypertrophy.

Which gene is a marker of chondrocyte hypertrophy?

cartilage Type X collagen
Markers for chondrocyte hypertrophy-like changes in human cartilage. Type X collagen is considered as the standard marker for chondrocyte hypertrophy.

What is the first step in chondrogenesis?

As we mentioned previously, the first step in chondrogensis is cell condensation and the subsequent formation of condensed cell aggregates that occurs prior to chondrogenic differentiation [19], [20].

What are Chondrogenic cells?

Two types of cell are formed during chondrogenesis: chondroblasts, and chondrocytes (Fig. 1). Chondroblasts are progenitor cells that secrete the extracellular matrix (ECM), while chondrocytes are involved in nutrient diffusion and matrix repair. Both cell types are required to form cartilage.