The application of scanning confocal microscopy in cartilage research.

Scanning confocal microscopy has been used in conjunction with immunofluorescent localization to address two areas of debate in cartilage research. With the enhanced resolution and optical sectioning capability of this new technique, we have demonstrated that type IX collagen is preferentially located in an area around the chondrocyte, even in young cartilage. We have also shown that cathepsin B production is not confined to de-differentiated chondrocytes. The advantages and versatility of scanning confocal microscopy have thus clearly been demonstrated.