摘要 |
<p>The invention relates to chondrocytes and chondrocyte cell-lines for use especially in studying arthritic conditions and also for developing skeletal tissue for use in repair and/or replacement surgery. The use of articular chondrocyte cell-lines which mineralise calcium to determine potentially beneficial therapeutic agents is disclosed. Further, the means for producing such cell-lines is also disclosed as well as the characteristics of such cell-lines. The use of hypertrophic chondrocyte cell-lines to produce matrix tissue is also disclosed. Further means of producing hypertrophic chondrocyte cell-lines is also disclosed as well as the charateristics of such cell-lines.</p> |