title: Effects of cell density on proliferation and matrix synthesis of chondrocytes embedded in atelocollagen gel.
abstract: The effects of cell density on the proliferation and chondroitin sulfate synthesis of chondrocytes embedded in Atelocollagen gel were examined. Chondrocytes of 21 10-week-old Japanese white rabbits isolated by collagenase digestion were embedded in Atelocollagen gel and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagles medium at cell densities of 2 x 105 cells/ml (105 group), 2 x 106 cells/ml (106 group), and 2 x 107 cells/ml (107 group) for 4 weeks. Chondrocytes in the 105 group gradually proliferated more than the other two groups. In contrast, most chondrocytes in the 107 group showed increased capability to produce chondroitin 6-sulfate. Cartilage-like tissue was produced from high-density cultures (107 cells/ml), although a decrease in cell number was seen. Even in three-dimensional cultures, the proliferation and chondroitin sulfate synthesis of chondrocytes were influenced by the cell density. These results are informative for the clinical application of chondrocyte transplantation in three-dimensional cultures for cartilage repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan. j-iwasa@shimane-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iwasa
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ochi
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uchio
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katsube
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: Kenzo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002452:Cell Count; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005782:Gels; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; C059821:atelocollagen; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen