Abstract
The addition of 0.2 m__M__ Na Lโascorbate increased the incorporation of ^3^Hโthymidine by rabbit articular chondrocytes in cell and organ culture. The stimulatory response of explants to ascorbate was potentiated by pretreatment of the cartilage with 0.2% clostridial collagenase (type 1) or trypsin for 15โ30 minutes. In explants there was a latent period of 3 to 4 days before increased labeling of the nuclei could be detected. The effect was transient and declined after 8 days of culture. It was more evident in organ cultures of immature (3โmonthโold) than 2โ to 3โyearโold rabbits. Age differences were not detected in cell cultures. Explants of adult human articular cartilage were stimulated by ascorbate when the medium was supplemented with 10% fresh human serum but not by fetal bovine serum. The findings indicated that synthesis of DNA by articular chondrocytes in situ is regulated by responsiveness of the cells proper to compounds such as vitamin C, by properties of the extracellular matrix, and by factors in the serum. Ascorbate was cytotoxic at concentrations >0.2 m__M__ in the presence of certain batches of serum and when added to monolayers before the cells attached to the surface of the flask.