Significance ofconnective tissue proliferation inthe breakdown ofcartilage: a novelinvivomodel

SUMMARY Theimplantation ofhomologous femoral headcartilage insubcutaneous tissues of randombredWistar ratsresults inbothsubchondral andarticular surfaces becoming overlaid by an adherent granulation tissue comprising predominantly fibroblast-like cells. Theresponseof thetissue tocartilage encapsulated withcottonfibres was alsosimilar buterosions, mainly subchondral, were more evident andproteoglycan loss markedly greater. Theconnective tissue responsetocottonwas theprogressive formation ofa foreign bodygranuloma comprising mononuclear cells, multinucleated giant cells, andfibroblasts with veryfewpolymorphonuclear leucocytes.