Human Chondrocytes (HCH)

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Short protocol:

• Trypsinize the cells as usual
• Centrifuge and resuspend in suitable cold freezing medium at a density of 1-4 x 10⁶ cells/ml
• Cool down the cells slowly to -80°C (approx. -1°C per min). We recommend to use "Mr. Frosty" from Nalge or "CoolCell" from Biocision; which both provide gradual and controlled cooling rates when placed in a -80°C freezer overnight.
• Transfer the vials into liquid nitrogen for long-term storage

• Mesenchymal Stem Cells (C-12974/C-12971/C-12977) need Fibronectin-coating when grown in PromoCell MSC Growth Medium XF (C-28019) and when differentiated in MSC Neurogenic (C-28015); Adipogenic (C-28016); or Osteogenic (C-28013) Differentiation Media.
• Human monocyte-derived macrophages (C-12914/C-12916/C-12915/C-12917) must be seeded into Fibronectin-coated culture vessels in combination with PromoCell's M1- and M2-Generation Media XF (C-28055; C-28056).
• For efficient induction of osteoblast mineralization with PromoCell's Osteoblast Mineralization Medium (C-27020); the TC plates should be pre-coated with collagen type I.

• Liquid phase storage provides a consistent temperature of -196°C; a longer holding time and a greater vial capacity but involves the risk of contamination issues.
• Storage in the gas phase is very safe with respect to contaminations but the holding time of the cells is shorter and the vial capacity is reduced.

We recommend a seeding density for chondrocytes between 10.000 and 20.000 cells/cm². This means that a subconfluent T25-flask with approx. 900.000 cells/T25 flask (36.000 cells/cm² ) may be either split into 3 new T25 or seeded in one T75 flask or in one 100 mm petri dish. We do not recommend a specific type or brand for the culture of HCH.

PromoCell Chondrocytes can be expanded in normal monolayer culture using our Chondrocyte Growth Medium (C-27101). The Medium consists of an optimized formulation and is supplemented with 10 % FCS. De-differentiation of chondrocytes is a known phenomenon observed during in vitro-culture after a period of approx. 2 weeks; but in vitro-culture is needed to expand the cells. Once a suitable cell number is obtained; the monolayer system can be changed to a more complex 3-D system either by culturing the cells on substrates like alginate beads; gels; or degradable polymer scaffolds or by using 3-D spheroid culture. Using appropriate conditions; re-differentiation is triggered and the cells start producing cartilage-specific ECM again. PromoCell does not supply a special culture system but we use 3-D spheroid culture and Alcian Blue staining to characterize our chondrocytes during quality control. The protocol is very similar to the one we use for chondrogenic differentiation of MSC.