Contraction of collagen gel by the dedifferentiated chondrocytes

The dedifferentiated chondrocytes metamorphosed by 5% chick embryo extract or 33μM 5-bromodeoxyuridine condensed collagen gels to the extent of the tissue like appearance seen in the case of fibroblasts, in contrast with authentic chondrocytes which did not contract collagen gel. Thus, the contraction of the collagen gel may be one of the phenotypes of dedifferentiated chondrocytes.