Do chondrocytes undergo "activation" and "transdifferentiation" during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis? A review of the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical evidence.

Abstract excerpt

Chondrocytes, which are the only cell type in the articular cartilage, show substantial morphological and functional differences, depending on their location within the tissue. In OA cartilage, outstanding modifications have been reported concerning their structure and functions. Based on the principle that both structure and function run in a parallel manner, new concepts are arising related to morphological...