[An in vitro natural degeneration model of chondrocytes derived from endplate of intervertebral discs of rats].
OBJECTIVE
To set up a natural degeneration model of chondrocytes derived from endplate of intervertebral discs of rats in order to offer an appropriate carrier for the study on mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration.


METHODS
The method of enzyme digestion combined with natural subculture was used to set up the in vitro natural degeneration model of chondrocytes derived from the endplate of intervertebral disc of rats. The morphological appearances and microstructures of the chondrocytes of different generations were observed. The expression of collagen II in chondrocytes was detected by immunocytochemical method.


RESULTS
The chondrocytes derived from the endplate of intervertebral disc expressed collagen II. After 13 days of culture, the chondrocytes of generation III showed that the ability of cell division descended, the nucleoli became unclear, the cells deformed obviously, fusiform shape with weak optical activity appeared, and the intercellular space was enlarged. There were vacuoles and lipid droplets in cytoplasm. The synthesis of collagen II, as well as the cell proliferation rate, descended notably. All results showed the natural degeneration process of the chondrocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
The in vitro natural degeneration model of chondrocytes derived from endplate of intervertebral discs of rats was successfully established. This can offer the cytological basis for study on the mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration.
Shi
Ji-Xiang
JX
Institute of Spinal Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
Wang
Yong-Jun
YJ
Shi
Qi
Q
Zhou
Quan
Q
Sun
Peng
P
Bian
Qin
Q
Zhou
Chong-Jian
CJ
D000818:Animals; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000473:pathology; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis