Question

Describe the mechanism of Alcian Blue staining of chondroblasts and chondrocytes in the pellet cultures

Answer 1

Mechanism of Alcian Blue Staining of chondrocytes and chondroblasts:

   Pellet culture is the standard culture for chondrogenic differentiation, but cells in pellets secrete extracellular matrix (ECM) that they become entrapped in them.In the 1980's people observed that chondrocytes lose their phenotype rapidly in monolayer culture. As a consquence in the early 1990's protocols were developed to counteract this;the alginate encapsulation, micromasses and pellet cultures (3D culture methods).

In the presence of chondroblast the staining of the Alcian blue was more intense because of the abundant extracellular matrix but when these chondroblasts mature into chondrocytes then the staining becomes weaker and less intense because the extracelluar marix is becoming thinner.