Efficiency of Human Epiphyseal Chondrocytes with Differential Replication Numbers for Cellular Therapy Products

Figure 6

Long-term observation at the P1 (PDL 14) cell-implanted sites. P1 (HEC #9) cell-implanted sites were analyzed at 25 weeks (a–e) and 41 weeks (f–j). Macroscopic examination of the P1 (PDL 14) cell-nodules (73 mg in weight) at 25 weeks showed club-shaped, semitranslucent, and whitish surface (a). Microscopic examination showed cartilage and perichondrium (b). The cartilage was composed of small chondrocytes with lacunae and of hypertrophic cells with large lacunae (c). The cartilage and perichondrium were positive for COL II (d) and COL I (e), respectively. Macroscopic examination of the P1 cell-nodules (70 mg in weight) at 42 weeks showed the same appearance as that of 25 weeks (f). Microscopic examination revealed decrease of hypertrophic chondrocytes in the cartilage and increase of matrix in the perichondrium (g, h). Again, the cartilage was positive for COL II (i) and the perichondrium was positive for COL I (j).