Matrix depletion of young and old human articular cartilage by cultured autologous synovium fragments: a chondrocyte-independent effect.
Human articular cartilage of different ages was cultured for 8 days and proteoglycan (PG) release into the medium was measured. Retinol and synovial co-culture increased the PG release of cartilage of all ages. The effect of retinol was dose-dependent. Synovium increased also the PG release of dead cartilage, whereas retinol did not. The increased PG release by synovial co-culture is therefore mainly the result of synovial enzymes acting directly on the matrix rather than of a factor inducing chondrocyte-mediated breakdown.
D000367:Age Factors; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D006801:Humans; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000201:enzymology*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011509:Proteoglycans; D014801:Vitamin A