[3H-thymidine incorporation into chondrocytes of arthritic cartilage].

An autoradiographic investigation was done to characterize cell proliferation in osteoarthrotic cartilage with regard to the formation of clusters. Altogether, 3H-thymidine labelled chondrocytes were rarely observed--a labelling index of 0.5/1000 was calculated. One isolated 3H-thymidine labelled mitosis was found. Labelled cells were often encountered in chondrocyte clusters leading to the assumption that an increased proliferation of chondrocytes is the mechanism of cluster formation.