The phenotype characteristic of mandibular condylar chondrocytes in vitro / 实用口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the phenotype characteristic of mandibular condylar chondrocytes (MCCs) in vitro. Methods: MCCs of two-week-old New Zealand rabbits were isolated with enzyme digestion and cultured in DMEM. Phase contrast microscopy, image analysis system, MTT assay and immunocytochemistry method were used to compare MCCs of different passages in cellular shape and size, growth curve and expression of type I and type II collagen. Results: The majority of MCCs in earlier passages (1～3 passage) were polygonal, while more fusiform and spindle-shaped cells were found after 5～6 passages. MCCs in earlier passages were smaller than those in sixth passages. The proliferation rate of MCCs decreased with passaging. There were more type II collagen positive cells in 1 ～ 3 passages, while more type I collagen positive cells in 7th passage. Conclusion: The changing characters of MCCs in vitro such as cellular shape and size and expression of type I and II collagen are similar to those of MCCs in vivo from proliferating zone to hypertrophic zone. MCCs in later passages may be with dedifferentiation.