OBJECTIVETo evaluate the use of alginate three-dimensional culture system for mandibular condylar chondrocytes culture in vitro from human osteoarthritic temporomandibular joint.

METHODSThe cultured mandibular condylar chondrocytes from the operatively removed cartilage from a patient with osteoarthritic temporomandibular joint were harvested by mechanical dissection and enzyme digestion. Partial chondrocytes were suspended in the aqueous sodium alginate beads with high seeding density and cultured for 4 weeks, while the others were cultured in monolayer culture condition for 1 week. Thereafter, the alginate beads were embedded in paraffin and sectioned, then studied immunologically with type II collagen antibody and aggrecan antibody, same studies were adopted for the monolayer cultures.

RESULTSThe monolayer cultures were confirmed as chondrocytes. The chondrocytes cultured in the alginate medium showed well. These cells exhibited the excellent differentiated phenotype after 4 weeks culture in alginate gel.

CONCLUSIONSThe condylar chondrocytes from human osteoarthritic temporomandibular joint were successfully cultured in vitro. The alginate three-dimensional culture system was successfully adopted for in vitro culture of condylar chondrocytes from human osteoarthritic temporomandibular joint, in which the chondrocytes exhibited the excellent differentiated phenotype.