Chondrocytes are released as viable cells during cartilage resorption associated with the formation of intrachondral canals in the rat tibial epiphysis

The development of cartilage canals is the first event of the ossification of the epiphyses in mammals. Canal formation differs from vascular invasion during primary ossification, since the former involves resorption of resting cartilage and is uncoupled from bone deposition. To learn more about the fate of resorbed chondrocytes during this process, we have carried out structural, cell proliferation, and in situ hybridization studies during the first stages of ossification of the rat tibial proximal epiphysis. Results concerning the formation of the cartilage canals implied the release of resting chondrocytes from the cartilage matrix to the canal cavity. Released chondrocytes had a well-preserved structure, expressed type-II collagen, and maintained the capacity to divide. All these data suggested that chondrocytes released into the canals remained viable for a specific time. Analysis of the proliferative activity at different regions of the cartilage canals showed that the percentage of proliferative chondrocytes at areas of active cartilage resorption was significantly higher than that in zones of low resorption. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that resting chondrocytes surrounding canals have a role in supplying cells for the development of the secondary ossification center. Since released chondrocytes are at an early stage of differentiation greatly preceding their entry into the apoptotic pathway and are exposed to a specific matrix, cellular, and humoral microenvironment, they might differentiate to other cell types and contribute to the ossification of the epiphysis.