Figure 3

Immunopositive staining for phenotypic markers in chondrocyte-like cells from human intervertebral discs. Immunohistochemical staining for collagen type II, aggrecan, and collagen type I in uncultured directly extracted cells (a), cells cultured in monolayer for 2 weeks and cytospun prior to staining (b), and cells cultured in monolayer for 2 weeks prior to transfer to alginate and then cultured for a further 4 weeks (c). Immunopositivityis revealed bybrown staining. Data shown are from cells derived from degenerate discs, but results were similar in non-degenerate discs. Bars = 570 μm. DE, directly extracted.