Characterization of human nasal septal chondrocytes cultured in alginate.
BACKGROUND
After serial passages in monolayer, chondrocytes dedifferentiate into a fibroblast-like phenotype. Our objective was to determine if culture in alginate affects the phenotype of dedifferentiated human nasal septal chondrocytes.


METHODS
Human nasal septal chondrocytes were seeded at low density and passaged in monolayer culture. At passages (P) 1, 2, and 3 a portion of cells were cultured in alginate. Collagen, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and DNA production were assessed.


RESULTS
Chondrocytes in alginate proliferated less yet produced higher levels of GAG and collagen than those in monolayer culture. Alginate encapsulated P1 chondrocytes stained strongly for GAG and collagen type II, and minimally for collagen type I. Monolayer cells at P0 and P1 stained positively for collagen type II. All monolayer passages stained positive for collagen type I with minimal GAG staining.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with monolayer culture, alginate stimulates deposition of GAG and collagen type II, and supports the chondrocyte phenotype through P1, but does not promote redifferentiation.
Chia
Stanley H
SH
Division of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, and San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
Homicz
Mark R
MR
Schumacher
Barbara L
BL
Thonar
Eugene J-M A
EJ
Masuda
Koichi
K
Sah
Robert L
RL
Watson
Deborah
D
D000464:Alginates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000166:cytology*; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D000464:Alginates; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D003094:Collagen; D004247:DNA