Human Cartilage Explant Culture: Healthy Donor, Osteoarthritis (OA+) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA+)

Tissue Procurement: Human cartilage tissue is collected from cadaveric donors within 48 hours of death or as surgical specimens from a relevant procedure. The tissue is harvested from the knee joint from both clinically “healthy, normal” donors and from those diagnosed with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Proper consent and serological information is obtained on all specimens.

Explant Processing: Tissue is aseptically dissected from all surfaces of the knee joint. Full thickness cartilage slices are selected for explant production. Each explant is created with a biopsy punch, 3mm in diameter. Upon request, explants up to 10 mm may be available depending on the quality of the source tissue. All explants in a culture plate have uniform circumference. The thickness can vary, usually between 0.5 and 3mm. Explants are distributed into multi-well plates (extra fee) or in bulk format in media supplemented with 10% FBS. The cultures are shipped overnight with cold packs.

Wet Weight Determination: Each explant is blotted and weighed using an analytical balance. Wet weights are reported in milligrams in an Excel spreadsheet. Wet weights can be used to normalize data during culture analysis.

Histology Service: A cartilage explant will be formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded and sectioned into slices 5 microns thick. Two unstained slides and one stained with H&E will be provided.  Additional shipping required.

Quality Control: Tested negative for fungal and bacterial contamination.

***This item requires fresh tissue. The order will be filled as soon as the appropriate donor tissue is available. Please inquire at 847.498.9634 to request an estimated wait time.