Full-thickness (FT), mid-and-deep zone (MD), and deep-zone (DEEP) chondrocytes were isolated, placed on the surface of porous ceramic substrates and maintained in culture for eight weeks.
As an avascular tissue, cartilage comprises a single cell type – the chondrocyte, which is organised into three distinct layers – the surface, mid and deep zones [1].
However the D. dianthus populations we sampled in shallow, mid and deep water exist in distinct water masses corresponding with the Subantarctic Mode Water, Antarctic Intermediate Water and a mix of Circumpolar Deep and North Pacific Deep Waters respectively (e.g. [37]).
Isolated cells were plated down as a full-depth chondrocyte population (total cell mass from surface, mid and deep zones) or subjected to a fibronectin adhesion assay as described [33].
Using the data from PLM, thicknesses corresponding to the superficial, mid, and deep zones were assigned to each FTIR dataset.
Mongolian spots are formed by an accumulation of melanocytes, which are filled with melanin in the mid and deep derma.
Fourier Transform Infrared microspectroscopy was used to measure proteoglycan and collagen contents in the superficial, mid, and deep zones.
Vertical fissures were observed at the superficial cartilage zone that extended into the cartilage mid and deep zone.
Changes in chemical composition in the superficial, mid, and deep zones were examined using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy.
Pericellular staining extended from the articular surface into the mid and deep zones and extensive diffuse staining present in pericellular, territorial and interterritorial sites was sometimes pronounced in the superficial, mid and upper deep zones.
