In vitro precocious accumulation of calcium and matrix vesicles formation in young cartilage cells: specific effects of corticosteroids.

The present study examined the effects of various corticosteroid and noncorticosteroid hormones upon the ultrastructure of chondroprogenitor cells and chondroblasts in an organ-culture system of late fetal condylar cartilage. Corticosteroids, (triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone, corticosterone) at concentrations of 10(-6) - 10(-8)M stimulated markedly a precocious formation of matrix vesicles by chondroblasts. This stimulation was accompanied by a significant accretion of calcium complexes intra- and extracellularly in both the chondroprogenitor cell population and chondroblasts in vitro, as well as in the newly induced matrix vesicles. Nonglucocorticoid steroids (progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, cortexolone) did not evoke similar effects. Progesterone and testosterone, however, seemed to adversely affect the ultrastructure of the cartilage cells, whereas estradiol appeared to have a favorable effect on the morphology of cultured condylar cartilage.