Cultivation of Human Chondrocytes on Cartilage Fluff Matrix without Loss of Phenotypic Expression

Chondrocytes grown from cartilage explants and then cultured with rehydrated previously desiccated thin strands of cartilage called "cartilage fluff matrix" or "fluff" filled the gaps between the strands of fluff making new cartilage and invaded the cartilage strands.The cells stained similar to the deep layers of normal articular cartilage though at least 60 days of culture.The chondrocytes binded the cartilage strands together and filled the gaps with new cartilage creating a solid construct.