The glycosaminoglycans of human articular cartilage: molecular weight distribution of chondroitin sulphate in different layers in the adult individual.

Articular cartilage from 3 human femoral heads was sectioned serially, at 200 micron thickness, parallel to the articular surface. The morphologically normal cartilage was compared with superficially fibrillated cartilage. Sections from 5 or 6 defined layers representing the cartilage bulk were pooled and the sodium salt of chondroitin sulphate was isolated from each layer. The molecular weight distribution of the chondroitin sulphate was determined by either Sephadex G-200 or Sephacryl S-200 gel chromatography. For the normal articular cartilage from the 3 individuals a reduction of the average molecular weight of the chondroitin sulphate from the articular surface to the cartilage-bone junction was observed. In the superfically fibrillated cartilage superficial layer chondroitin sulphate had a smaller average molecular weight than the corresponding normal cartilage of the same femoral head.