Induction of chondrogenesis in muscle, skin, bone marrow, and periodontal ligament by demineralized dentin and bone matrix in vivo and in vitro.

Induction of chondrogenesis in vivo by rolls of demineralized dentin implanted in muscle, subcutaneous connective tissue of skin, medullary cavity of femur, and periodontal ligament of rat was investigated. Specimens were examined at various times up to 21 days after implantation, using light microscopy and morphometric analysis. Induction of cartilage occurred most quickly in muscle, followed by subcutaneous connective tissue of skin and medullary cavity of femur, and most slowly in periodontal ligament. Significantly more cartilage was found in muscle than in subcutaneous connective tissue of skin and medullary cavity of femur at the times examined, and least of all in periodontal ligament. Outgrowth of cells from rat muscle, dermis and subcutaneous tissue, bone marrow and periodontal ligament cultured in vitro on demineralized bone matrix for up to 35 days produced similar results.