USE OF MICROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES IN THE STUDY OF HUMAN CHONDROCYTES FROMOSTEOARTHRITIC CARTILAGE - AN OVERVIEW

Several microscopical techniques, such as high resolution light micros copy, Normaski microscopy, laser confocal and transmission electron mi croscopy, were used in a correlative morphological study of human oste oarthritic (OA) cartilage. Emphasis was made on the characterization o f chondrocytes heterogeneity observed in this tissue. Novel findings w ere assessed in the morphological and immunocytological study of the c hondrocytes organized in aggregates or ''clones'' typical of this dege nerative disease, consisting of the modification of certain elements o f the cytoskeleton that influence changes in the cell shape. Also, the presence of cilia and centrioles found in certain cells raised the qu estion if chondrocytes are able to move and regroup as an alternative mechanism to mitosis in the formation of cell clusters or ''clones.'' The presence of two types of secretory chondrocytes was observed and d iscussed. The use of a correlative approach of several microscopical t echniques in a systematic morphological and immunocytological characte rization of chondrocyte population within the fibrillated and nonfibri llated human osteoarthritic cartilage gave complementary information t hat could be important for a better understanding of the histopathogen esis of OA. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.