What is chondrocyte apoptosis?

Apoptosis is a highly-regulated, active process of cell death involved in development, homeostasis and aging. It is not clear whether chondrocyte apoptosis is the inducer of cartilage degeneration or a byproduct of cartilage destruction.

What causes death of chondrocytes?

Three primary modes of chondrocyte death are apoptosis, autophagy-associated cell death and necrosis. These modes of cell death often have overlapping rather than distinct modes of morphologic features.

What causes chondrocyte?

Chondrocyte Function and Regulation Chondrocytes are metabolically active cells that synthesize and turnover a large volume of extra cellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and hyaluronan [2].

Do chondrocytes undergo apoptosis?

Terminally differentiated chondrocytes are generally believed to undergo apoptosis [Adams and Shapiro, 2002], although whether the calcified matrix contributes to the apoptotic process, or the apoptotic process induces the calcification has been in debate.

What are chondrocytes?

Chondrocytes (/ˈkɒndrəsaɪt, -droʊ-/, from Greek χόνδρος, chondros = cartilage + κύτος, kytos = cell) are the only cells found in healthy cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of collagen and proteoglycans.

What happens when an Osteocyte dies?

Osteocyte death ultimately results in necrosis; DAMPs are released to the bone surface and promote the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which induce Rankl expression, and osteoclastogenesis is further enhanced.

What is the function of chondrocytes?

Chondrocytes in normal adult articular cartilage are stable, differentiated cells that maintain tissue homeostasis by synthesizing a very low level of ECM to replace damaged matrix molecules, thereby preserving the structural integrity of the cartilage matrix.

What type of cell is chondrocyte?

Chondrocyte
Light micrograph of undecalcified hyaline cartilage showing its chondrocytes and organelles, lacunae and matrix.
Details
Location Cartilage
Function Produce and maintain cartilage matrix

Where are chondrocyte cells found?

cartilage tissue
Chondrocytes are the only specialized cell type found in the cartilage tissue.

Are chondrocytes dead?

Following proliferation, chondrocytes in growth cartilage undergo hypertrophy and then die, before the cartilage matrix that they have synthesized is invaded by osteoclasts and blood vessels, which prepare the tissue for ossification.