Simultaneous localization of type II collagen and core protein of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in individual chondrocytes.

In order to investigate the coordinated synthesis of matrix components by individual chondrocytes, specific antibodies to type I collagen, type II collagen, and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan core protein were used in simultaneous double immunofluorescence reactions. Extensive accumulation of core protein surrounding chondrocytes and the intracellular accumulation of type II collagen were observed. Extracellular core protein immunofluorescence obscured the intracellular reaction product, but the extracellular immunoreactive material could be removed by digestion with purified testicular hyaluronidase prior to fixation. Subsequent to digestion, core protein and type II collagen were observed in the same chondrocytes within discrete, sometimes identical, cytoplasmic regions, thus demonstrating the simultaneous localization of these two products characteristic of differentiating cartilage.