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Fig. 2 | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Fig. 2

From: Increased migratory activity and cartilage regeneration by superficial-zone chondrocytes in enzymatically treated cartilage explants

Fig. 2

A cartilage gap was created in the full-thickness cartilage explant, and the effects of enzymatic treatment on chondrocyte migration were analyzed. Under the phase contrast microscope, within the gap, no chondrocytes migrated out of cartilage explant in the absence of enzyme treatment, as assessed after culturing for 1 week (A: × 4) or 2 weeks (D: × 4). After 60 min of enzyme treatment followed by 1 week (B: × 4, C: × 10) or 2 weeks (E: × 4, F: × 10) of culturing, the cartilage gap was bridged and filled with abundant chondrocytes migrating from the superficial zone. After 60 min of enzyme treatment followed by 2 weeks of culturing, metachromasia for toluidine blue(H: × 4, I: × 10, J: × 40) and immunoreactivities for keratan sulfate (K: × 40) and chondroitin 4 sulfate (L: × 40) were found around migrating cells. Cartilage explant in the absence of enzyme treatment served as a control (G: × 4)

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