[Effects of different types of collagen on the aggregation and proliferation of bovine articular chondrocytes cultured in vitro].

In the presence of different types of native collagens, particularly type III, isolated chondrocytes do not attach as usual to the plastic walls of culture flasks, but instead aggregate and form nodules and floating pellicules. Furthermore, articular chondrocytes grow differently in the absence or presence of collagen. In the presence of collagen they grow more rapidly and form nodules and large pellicules. Foetal calf and horse serum and bovine synovial fluid contain dialysable factor(s) that inhibit attachment of the cells to the culture walls, but enhance collagen-induced cell aggregation of the chondrocytes.