CHONDROCYTE MEDIA FORMULATIONS AND CULTURE PROCEDURES

摘要

One object of the present invention is based upon the development and use of a serum-free defined cell culture medium comprising a supplement mixture, a component mixture, a vitamin mixture, an inorganic salt mixture and amino acid mixture that avoids the problems inherent in the use of serum. In particular, the defined medium is useful in culturing fibroblasts, especiall y chondrocytes. Another object of the present invention is to claim a method o f enhancing the differentiation of chondrocytes and enhancing the synthesis of a cartilage specific matrix using transforming growth factor beta (TGF- .beta.). Another object of the present invention is to claim a method of enhancing th e differentiation of chondrocytes using the combination of TGF-.beta. and IGF.