What is chondrocyte differentiation?
Chondrocyte and osteoblast are two primary cell types in the skeletal systems that are differentiated from common mesenchymal progenitors. It is shown that Wnt signaling can regulate chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation of the chondroosseous progenitor cells.
Are chondrocytes terminally differentiated?
Chondrocytes undergo terminal differentiation when they become hypertrophic, which happens during endochondral ossification. This last stage is characterized by major phenotypic changes in the cell.
What is a chondrocyte cell?
Chondrocytes are metabolically active cells that synthesize and turnover a large volume of extra cellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and hyaluronan [2]. Chondrocytes are derived from MSCs and occupy only 1%–5% of the total cartilage tissue [7].
What is the importance of Endochondral formation?
Endochondral bone formation is an important aspect of osteophyte development and growth. Endochondral bone formation is a specific, well-orchestrated process that allows long bones to grow; replaces cartilage with normal bone tissue; and is usually associated with fetal, childhood, and pubertal growth.
What is chondrocyte proliferation?
During this process, a cartilage template is formed in which chondrocytes proliferate and differentiate into hypertrophic chondrocytes and are gradually replaced by bone. The coordinated proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes ensures the continuous elongation of the epiphyseal growth plates.
What is the first step in Chondrogenesis?
Each stage was characterized as an established in vitro ESC developmental process of chondrogenesis. As we mentioned previously, the first step in chondrogensis is cell condensation and the subsequent formation of condensed cell aggregates that occurs prior to chondrogenic differentiation [19], [20].
How big is a chondrocyte?
The pericellular matrix surrounding individual chondrocytes varies, but in general appears to be ∼8 μm thick20. Hence, some of the processes (<8 μm in length) would probably be within the chondron, whilst processes of >8 μm in length, were likely to extend into the territorial matrix.
What does a chondrocyte cell look like?
Chondrocytes, or chondrocytes in lacunae, are cells found in cartilage connective tissue. When looking through a microscope, chondrocytes look similar to eyeballs floating in goo.
What is the purpose of chondrocytes in endochondral ossification?
40.2. Chondrocytes are the cells responsible for cartilage formation, and they are crucial for the process of endochondral ossification, which is useful for bone development. Also, by mimicking skeletal development chondrocytes play a critical role in fracture repair.
What is proliferation of cartilage?
The skeletal elements of the axial and appendicular skeleton are preformed as cartilage templates by a mechanism called endochondral ossification. During this process, a cartilage template is formed in which chondrocytes proliferate and differentiate into hypertrophic chondrocytes and are gradually replaced by bone.