Extracellular matrix synthesis by articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts in long-term monolayer culture.
Synthesis of collagen and proteoglycan by rabbit articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts has been studied over a 12-week period in primary monolayer culture. Chondrocytes, but not fibroblasts, accumulate large quantities of proteoglycan over the culture period studied. Radiolabeling studies with [35S]sulfate have shown that the major proteoglycan synthesized by cultured chondrocytes is similar to the proteoglycan of cartilage matrix. Chondrocytes also synthesize a smaller dermatan sulfate proteoglycan, which is apparently the only proteoglycan species produced by synovial fibroblasts. Collagen synthesis was studied by radiolabeling with [3H]proline. Cultured chondrocytes produce mainly Type II collagen, with lesser amounts of Type I, whereas synovial fibroblasts produce Type I collagen and some low molecular weight collagenous species. Therefore, long-term monolayer culture permits the production of extensive chondroid matrix by chondrocytes, but not fibroblasts.
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011817:Rabbits; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*
D011509:Proteoglycans; D003094:Collagen