Fig. 6.

Localization of type VI collagen in articular cartilage cultured for 1 or 4 weeks a, b without hyaluronidase treatment (−hyal) c, d with hyaluronidase treatment (+hyal) a, c cultured without IL-1α (−IL-1α) b, d cultured with IL-1α (+IL-1α) Culturing in the presence of IL-1α resulted in a more intense staining. This was found both for the area in the direct vicinity of the chondrocytes (arrows) as well as for the interchondral areas (asterisks). Hyaluronidase treatment (c, d) also resulted in a more intense staining. In the direct vicinity of the chondron a narrow band of intense staining for type VI collagen is present. At some distance an unstained area is followed by an intense staining interchondral area. This staining pattern is found both after hyaluronidase treatment and after culture with IL-1α. Bars: 0.2 mm