Proteoglycan-Lb, a small dermatan sulfate proteoglycan expressed in embryonic chick epiphyseal cartilage, is structurally related to osteoinductive factor.

We have isolated cDNA clones encoding the core protein of PG-Lb, proteoglycan which has been shown to be preferentially expressed in the zone of flattened chondrocytes of the developing chick limb cartilage (Shinomura, T., Kimata, K., Oike, Y., Yano, S., and Suzuki, S. (1984) Dev. Biol. 103, 211-220). The deduced amino acid sequence from the cDNA analysis indicates the presence of consensus leucine-rich repeats which are present in other small proteoglycans, decorin, biglycan, and fibromodulin. However, the homology analysis revealed that chick PG-Lb showed a higher homology (about 50% in the region containing leucine-rich repeats) to human osteoinductive factor, OIF, rather than to the other small proteoglycans. Furthermore, 6 cysteine residues are detected in both PG-Lb and OIF with invariant relative positions. Therefore, such an evolutionarily conserved structure in the PG-Lb core protein might be involved in some important biological functions of this molecule. In close relation to the structural similarity to OIF, the unique expression of PG-Lb in the ossifying area of cartilage suggested the possible participation of this proteoglycan in osteogenic processes.     

Characterization of Human DSPG3, a Small Dermatan Sulfate Proteoglycan

PG-Lb is a small dermatan sulfate proteoglycan that has been previously characterized in chicken. In the developing limb, chick PG-Lb appears to be exclusively expressed in the zone of flattened chondrocytes. We have cloned and sequenced the human homolog to chick PG-Lb from two human chondrocyte cDNA libraries and a human chondrocyte RNA sample. The human homolog has been named DSPG3, as it is the third member of the small dermatan sulfate proteoglycan family to be identified and characterized along with biglycan (PG-I) and decorin (PG-II). DSPG3 maps to chromosome 12q21 and is composed of 1515 nucleotides of cDNA that code for a 322-amino-acid protein. The protein contains three potential glycosaminoglycan attachment sites, two N-glycosylation sites, a poly- glutamic acid stretch, and six cysteines. By Northern analysis, we have demonstrated that DSPG3 is expressed in cartilage, as well as ligament and placental tissues.     

A monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes a glucuronic acid 2-sulfate-containing determinant in intact chondroitin sulfate chain

Monoclonal antibodies produced against chick embryo limb bud proteoglycan (PG-M) were selected for their ability to recognize determinants on intact chondroitin sulfate chains. One of these monoclonal antibodies (IgM; designated MO-225) reacts with PG-M, chick embryo cartilage proteoglycans (PG-H, PG-Lb, and PG-Lt), and bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan, but not with Swarm rat chondrosarcoma proteoglycan. The reactivity of PG-H to MO-225 is not affected by keratanase digestion but is completely abolished after chondroitinase digestion. Competitive binding analyses with various glycosaminoglycan samples indicate that the determinant recognized by MO-225 resides in a D-glucuronic acid 2-sulfate(beta 1----3)N-acetylgalactosamine 6-sulfate disaccharide unit (D-unit) common to antigenic chondroitin sulfates. A tetrasaccharide trisulfate containing D-unit at the reducing end is the smallest chondroitin sulfate fragment that can inhibit the binding of the antibody to PG-H. Decreasing the size of a D-unit-rich chondroitin sulfate by hyaluronidase digestion results in progressive reduction in its inhibitory activity. The results suggest that the epitope has a requirement for a long stretch of a disaccharide-repeating structure for a better fit to the antibody.     

Cell Sorting and Chondrogenic Aggregate Formation in Limb Bud Recombinants and in Culture

The cartilage pattern of the developing chick limb changes along the proximal-distal (PD) axis. It is assumed that these spatial changes are brought about by differences in the cellular properties of distal mesoderm, the progress zone (PZ). To examine whether these differences are actually maintained in the individual cells composing the PZ, we dissociated early (stage 20) and late (stage 25) PZ tissues into single cells, then mixed and recombined them with ectodermal jackets. The recombinants were grafted to limb bud stumps and allowed to develop into limb-like structures. Early PZ cells were distributed within whole cartilage elements along the PD axis of the limb-like structures, while cells from late PZ participated only in the formation of distal cartilage elements.
A difference in distribution pattern between the cells of early and late PZ in mixed culture was also observed. Cells of early PZ aggregated rapidly in patches and formed cartilage nodules, while the cells of late PZ distributed in regions surrounding these cell aggregates and gradually differentiated to cartilage cells. These results suggest that the cellular properties in the PZ concerning the rate of chondrogenic aggregate formation change during limb bud development, and that this change may relate to the cartilage pattern formation along the PD axis.     

Isolation and characterization of a third proteoglycan (PG-Lt) from chick embryo cartilage which contains disulfide-bonded collagenous polypeptide

Chick embryo epiphyseal cartilage has been shown to contain three different proteoglycan species (PG-H, PG-Lb, and PG-Lt). This report is concerned with the purification and characterization of the third proteoglycan, PG-Lt. The proteoglycan can be separated from the other two by virtue of its low buoyant density in a CsCl density gradient and further purified by consecutive ion exchange and gel chromatography. The final preparation is composed of PG-Lt monomer and PG-Lt oligomer. The amino acid composition of PG-Lt is quite different from that of PG-H and PG-Lb and rather resembles that of collagens with respect to high content of glycine and high degrees of hydroxylation of proline and lysine. PG-Lt monomer is composed of disulfide-bonded subunits of Mr congruent to 120,000 and 190,000 as demonstrated by its gel electrophoretic behavior after reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol. The latter, but not the former, contains dermatan sulfate chains with glucuronic acid/iduronic acid residues and yields a protein-enriched core molecule of Mr congruent to 100,000 after digestion with chondroitinase ABC. Both of the protein subunits are completely digestible with bacterial collagenase. Immunofluorescence microscopic examination of cartilage tissues, using an antibody against PG-Lt, shows that this proteoglycan exists in both the cartilage matrix and perichondrial noncartilagenous region. When chondrocytes are plated onto tissue culture dishes, the antibody stains strands found on the cell surfaces and in the intercellular space of substrate-attached cell layers, suggesting that PG-Lt mediates cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate contacts.     

Study of differential collagen synthesis during development of the chick embryo by immunofluorescence. I. Preparation of collagen type I and type II specific antibodies and their application to early stages of the chick embryo.

The aim of this work was to prepare specific antibodies against skin and bone collagen (type I) and cartilage collagen (type II) for the study of differential collagen synthesis during development of the chick embryo by immunofluorescence. Antibodies against native type I collagen from chick cranial bone, and native pepsin-extracted type II collagen from chick sternal cartilage were raised in rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs. The antibodies, purified by cross-absorption on the heterologous collagen type, followed by absorption and elution from the homologous collagen type, were specific according to passive hemagglutination tests and indirect immunofluorescence staining of chick bone and cartilage tissues. Antibodies specific to type I collagen labeled bone trabeculae from tibia and perichondrium from sternal cartilage. Antibodies specific to type II collagen stained chondrocytes of sternal and epiphyseal cartilage, whereas fluorescence with intercellular cartilage collagen was obtained only after treatment with hyaluronidase. Applying type II collagen antibodies to sections of chick embryos, the earliest cartilage collagen found was in the notochord, at stage 15, followed by vertebral collagen secreted by sclerotome cells adjacent to the notochord from stage 25 onwards. Type I collagen was found in the dermatomal myotomal plate and presumptive dermis at stage 17, in limb mesenchyme at stage 24, and in the perichondrium of tibiae at stage 31.     

Separation of hepatocytes of different acinar zones by flow cytometry

Hepatocytes in the proximal (zone 1) and distal (zone 3) regions of the liver acinus are selectively stained by perfusion of the isolated rat liver with 0.2-20 microM acridine orange (AO). After 10-60 min of anterograde perfusion, AO fluorescence is visible in zone 1 cells, whereas retrograde perfusion stains cells of zone 3. In this paper, we describe a technique to isolate a mixed population of fluorescent and nonfluorescent hepatocytes (cells from all acinar zones, which do not loose the zone specific AO labeling) and to separate these cells according to their zonal origin by fluorescence activated cell sorting. The zonal populations obtained were either fluorescent or nonfluorescent (purity greater than 95%). Separated cell fractions differed in their enzyme content (5' nucleotidase, succinate-dehydrogenase, beta-glucuronidase). An unidentified AO metabolite, which is not found in bile after retrograde perfusion (not formed in zone 3 cells), is also absent after retrograde perfusion in sorted fluorescent cells (zone 3 cells), indicating zonal purity of sorted cells.     

Analysis of type II collagen RNA localization in chick wing buds by in situ hybridization

Type II collagen is a major component of cartilage extracellular matrix. Differentiation of mesenchyme into cartilage involves the cessation of type I collagen synthesis and the onset of type II collagen synthesis. Solution hybridization of mRNA isolated from chick limb buds with a cDNA probe to type II collagen mRNA showed the presence of small amounts of type II collagen message in mesenchymal chick limbs. We have examined the localization of type II collagen mRNA in mesenchymal chick wing buds by in situ hybridization using single stranded RNA probes. Our results show a small but detectable amount of type II collagen RNA distributed uniformly in early limbs until the first precartilage condensations form at stage 22. This is interesting because it is known that mesenchyme isolated from chick wing buds has the capacity to undergo chondrogenesis in culture, even if taken from nonchondrogenic areas of the limb. At stage 23, type II collagen mRNA is found at significantly increased levels in the cells of the precartilage condensation when compared to the other limb cells. As chondrogenesis proceeds, the amount of type II collagen RNA increases even more in cells of the cartilage elements. The signal in the peripheral tissue is indistinguishable from background. These results show that type II collagen message exists at low levels in cells throughout the mesenchymal chick wing bud, until the formation of the condensation results in an elevation of type II mRNA in the prechondrogenic cells found in the core of the limb.     

Stage-related capacity for limb chondrogenesis in cell culture.

Cells from wing buds of varying-stage chick embryos were dissociated and grown in culture to test their capacity for cartilage differentiation. Micro-mass cultures were initiated with a cell layer greater than confluency, which occupied a restricted area of the culture dish surface (10–13 mm²). Cells from stage 24 chick embryo wing buds (prior to the appearance of cartilage in vivo) undergo cartilage differentiation in such cultures. Typically, during the first 1–2 days of culture, cells form aggregates (clusters of cells with a density 1.5 times greater than that of the surrounding nonaggregate area). By Day 3, virtually all aggregates differentiate into cartilage nodules which are easily recognized by their Alcian blue staining (pH 1.0) extracellular matrix. Subsequently, nodules increase in size, and adjacent nodules begin to coalesce. Micro-mass cultures were used to test the chondrogenic capacity of wing bud cells from chick embryos representing the different stages of limb development up to the appearance of cartilage in vivo (stages 17–25). Cells from embryo stages 21–24 form aggregates which differentiate into cartilage nodules in vitro with equal capacity (scored as number of nodules per culture). In contrast, cells from embryo stages 17–19 form aggregates in similar numbers, but these aggregates never differentiate into nodules under routine conditions. However, aggregates which form in cultures of stage 19 wing bud cells do differentiate into cartilage nodules if exposed to dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline. Cells from stage 20 embryos manifest a varying capacity to form cartilage nodules; apparently, this is a transition stage. Cells from stage 25 embryos produce cartilage in vitro without forming either aggregates or nodules. Based on the results presented in this paper, the authors propose a model for cartilage differentiation from embryonic mesoderm cells involving: (1) aggregation, (2) acquisition of the ability to respond to the environment in the aggregate, (3) elevated intracellular cyclic AMP levels, and (4) stabilization and expression of cartilage phenotype.     

Enhanced chondrocytic differentiation in chick limb bud cell cultures by inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase

Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, namely nicotinamide, benzamide, m-methoxybenzamide and 3-aminobenzamide, augmented chondrocytic differentiation chick embryo limb bud mesenchymal cells, in culture. These inhibitors stimulated early appearance and massive formation of cartilage nodules in micromass cultures stage 23-24 chick embryos. They also induced nodule formation in micromass and cartilage colonies at micromass plating densities from stage 18-19 embryo Benzamide, however, did not prevent differentiated chondrocytes from undergoing a pleiotypic change in cell type. These results are compatible with the putative regulatory function of poly(ADP-ribose) on cell differentiation.     

Distribution of insulin-like growth factor peptides in the developing chick embryo

Growth factors are likely to be of major significance in developmental biology. Here, the distribution of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) peptides is described during development of the chick embryo. IGF was immunolocalised using a polyclonal antibody to human IGF I detected with a modified Vectastain ABC procedure. Under the conditions used, the antibody binds strongly to IGF I and weakly to IGF II; thus the distribution of IGF peptide, rather than the individual factors, is described. Muscle, peripheral nerve and the notochord were labelled whenever present. Muscle label was associated with the myotubes and neural labelling with neurons; Schwann cells were unlabelled. IGF distribution changed during differentiation of connective tissues. Regions of mesenchyme destined to form cartilage labelled weakly or not at all, and cartilage condensations were unlabelled. In the limb, chondrocytes became labelled once cartilage rudiments had formed; however, in later development, label was absent in zones of rounded and flattened chondrocytes and appeared strongly at the onset of hypertrophy. Early osteogenic mesenchyme was also unlabelled, although later bone cells were strongly stained. In the neural tube, label was associated with differentiating neuroblasts and cell bodies and with axons, especially in the developing dorsolateral tracts. These results show a possible correlation between IGF label and cell division in early mesenchyme; cartilage condensations, which have reduced mitotic indices, do not label. In other tissues, notably muscle and nerve but also later connective tissues, label is associated with differentiating, rather than dividing, cells.     

The differentiation of normal and muscle-free distal chick limb bud mesenchyme in micromass culture

Distal chick wing bud mesenchyme from stages 19 to 27 embryos has been grown in micromass culture. The behavior of cultures comprising mesenchyme located within 350 microns of the apical ectodermal ridge (distal zone mesenchyme) was compared to that of cultures of the immediately proximal mesenchyme (subdistal zone cultures). In cultures of the distal mesenchyme from stages 21-24 limbs, all of the cells stained immunocytochemically for type II collagen within 3 days, indicating ubiquitous chondrogenic differentiation. At stage 19 and 20, this behavior was only observed in cultures of the distal most 50-100 microns of the limb bud mesenchyme. Between stages 25 and 27, distal zone cultures failed to become entirely chondrogenic. At all stages, subdistal zone cultures always contained substantial areas of nonchondrogenic cells. The different behavior observed between distal zone and corresponding subdistal zone cultures appears to be a consequence of the presence of somite-derived presumptive muscle cells in the latter, since no such difference was observed in analagous cultures prepared from muscle-free wing buds. The high capacity of the distal zone for cartilage differentiation supports a view of pattern formation in which inhibition of cartilage is an important component. However, its consistent behavior in vitro indicates that micromass cultures do not reflect the in vivo differences between the distal zones at different stages. The subdistal region retains a high capacity of cartilage differentiation and the observed behavior in micromass reflects interactions with a different cell population.     

The role of the polarizing zone in the pattern of experimental chondrogenesis in the chick embryo interdigital space

We have previously shown that removal of the apical ectodermal ridge of the third interdigital space of the chick leg bud at stages 28 and 29 is followed by the appearance of ectopic cartilage, which in the course of development gives rise to extra digits. These in vivo studies suggest that the pattern of skeletal morphogenesis in the limb depends on the inhibitory effect of the ectoderm. In the present study we tested whether zone polarizing activity (ZPA) exerted an effect on the pattern of experimental chondrogenesis in the interdigital space of the leg bud in stage 29 HH chick embryos. A small fragment of tissue from the ZPA in chick embryos in which ZPA activity was most intense was grafted onto the interdigital space in which chondrogenesis had previously been experimentally induced. No significant changes were observed in the course of differentiation of the recipient interdigital spaces with ZPA grafts, leading us to conclude that the graft failed to modify the morphogenetic fate of interdigital tissue.     

Local sonic hedgehog signaling regulates oligodendrocyte precursor appearance in multiple ventricular zone domains in the chick metencephalon

In the chick metencephalon, oligodendrocyte precursors arise in distinct domains of the ventricular zone. During development, the earliest oligodendrocyte precursors appear in the metencephalic ventral ventricular zone adjacent to the midline, consistent with their location in the spinal cord. In contrast to spinal cord, however, distinct domains in the lateral and dorsal metencephalic ventricular zone subsequently generate oligodendrocyte precursors. All oligodendrogenic domains of the metencephalon appear in close apposition to regions that transiently express sonic hedgehog (Shh). Inhibition studies demonstrate a functional requirement for Shh signaling in the early appearance of metencephalic oligodendrocyte precursors, while in vitro studies suggest a dose-dependent increase in the number of oligodendrocyte precursors in response to Shh. In purified cultures of oligodendrocyte precursors, Shh promotes cell survival and proliferation, suggesting that Shh can act directly on these cells. These data suggest that Shh may be responsible for the localized appearance of oligodendrocyte precursors throughout the CNS, irrespective of the dorso-ventral neural axis.     

Morphological and biochemical differentiation of limb bud cells cultured in chemically defined medium

When chick limb buds were isolated from stage 22–23 embryos and cultured in chemically defined medium “BGJb,” the explants grew and, after about 9 days, showed good chondrogenesis of recognizable cartilage segments. Cartilage-type proteoglycan (termed PCS-H) was not synthesized during early days of culture, but by Day 9, it became a major proteoglycan constituent of the tissue. Freshly dissociated limb bud cells, when plated as monodispersed cultures at a density of 7 × 10⁶ cells/ml of BGJb, did not undergo chondrogenic differentiation and, instead, assumed the appearance of unhealthy or degenerated cells. During 9 days of culture, even though proteoglycans were synthesized, they were nevertheless of much smaller molecular size than PCS-H. When limb bud cells were cultured as a pellet containing 7 × 10⁶ cells in 1 ml of BGJb, a more tightly packed aggregate of about 2 × 10⁶ cells appeared in an inner region of the pullet during the first 24 hr of culture, and by Day 12 the aggregate had differentiated into a cartilage nodule surrounded by a thin layer of what appear to be ectodermal cells. As the conversion of aggregate into cartilage nodule progressed, newly formed proteoglycans gradually became more like cartilage-type proteoglycans, and by Day 12 they had many chemical and physical characteristics similar to those of the proteoglycans isolated from fully differentiated cartilages. The results indicate that the initial association of limb bud cells is an important factor for the chondrogenesis in BGJb and further suggest that the tight binding of the cell surfaces to one another may directly or indirectly stimulate the mechanism of synthesis of cartilage-type proteoglycans.     

The patterns on chondrogenesis of cells from facial primordia of chick embryos in micromass culture

Chondrogenesis of mesenchymal cells from the frontonasal mass, mandibles and maxillae of stage-24 chick embryos has been investigated in micromass (high-density) cultures. Distinct differences in the amount and pattern of cartilage differentiation are found. In cultures of frontonasal mass cells, a central sheet of cartilage develops; in cultures of mandible cells, less cartilage differentiates and nodules form; while in cultures of maxillae cells, virtually no chondrogenesis takes place. The same patterns of cartilage are found in cultures established from stage-20 embryos. At stage 28, frontonasal mass cultures form cartilage nodules and the number of nodules in mandible cultures is markedly decreased. There are striking parallels between the chondrogenic patterns of cells from the face and limb buds in micromass culture. The frontonasal mass cell cultures of stage-20 and -24 chick embryos resemble those established from the progress zone of limb buds. The progress zone is an undifferentiated region of the limb in which positional cues operate. Cultures established from the frontonasal mass of stage-28 chick embryos and from the mandibles of all stages resemble cultures of whole limb buds. These contain a mixture of committed and uncommitted cells. Ectoderm from facial primordia locally inhibits chondrogenesis in micromass cultures and this could provide a positional cue. The differences in chondrogenic potential of cells from facial primordia may underlie the specific retinoid effects on the frontonasal mass.     

Abnormal synthesis of cartilage-characteristic proteoglycan in azaserine-induced micromelial limbs.

Administration of azaserine (250 micrograms) to day-4 chick embryos in ovo was shown to induce micromelial limbs. In the present study, biosynthesis of cartilage-characteristic proteoglycan H (PG-H) as an index of limb chondrogenesis was examined in normal and micromelial hind limbs from day-7 chick embryos by biochemical and immunological methods. (1) Metabolic labelling of the micromelial limbs with [6-3H]-glucose and [35S]sulphate, followed by analysis of labelled proteoglycans by glycerol-density-gradient centrifugation under dissociative conditions, showed a marked reduction in PG-H synthesis. (2) PG-H synthesized by micromelial limbs differed from that synthesized by normal limbs in possessing a slower sedimenting velocity and much lower amounts of chondroitin sulphates. (3) The amount of PG-H core protein in micromelial limbs was significantly decreased to about 19% on a per limb basis and about 42% on a per DNA basis of that in normal limbs, as determined by e.l.i.s.a. (4) The transition from PG-M to PG-H during limb formation was retarded in micromelial limbs as judged by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using antibodies against PG-M and PG-H. (5) The deficiency of incorporation of labelled glucose into chondroitin sulphate chains of PG-H in micromelial limbs was partially restored by using [6-3H]-glucosamine as a precursor, suggesting that the synthesis of UDP-N-acetylhexosamine, required for chondroitin sulphate chain synthesis of PG-H in micromelial limbs, was decreased. These results suggest that the reduction in the synthesis of PG-H as well as the production of an abnormal form of PG-H during a critical period of limb morphogenesis may be important factors in explaining the micromelia induced by azaserine.     

Environmental regulation of type X collagen production by cultures of limb mesenchyme, mesectoderm, and sternal chondrocytes

We have examined whether the production of hypertrophic cartilage matrix reflecting a late stage in the development of chondrocytes which participate in endochondral bone formation, is the result of cell lineage, environmental influence, or both. We have compared the ability of cultured limb mesenchyme and mesectoderm to synthesize type X collagen, a marker highly selective for hypertrophic cartilage. High density cultures of limb mesenchyme from stage 23 and 24 chick embryos contain many cells that react positively for type II collagen by immunohistochemistry, but only a few of these initiate type X collagen synthesis. When limb mesenchyme cells are cultured in or on hydrated collagen gels or in agarose (conditions previously shown to promote chondrogenesis in low density cultures), almost all initiate synthesis of both collagen types. Similarly, collagen gel cultures of limb mesenchyme from stage 17 embryos synthesize type II collagen and with some additional delay type X collagen. However, cytochalasin D treatment of subconfluent cultures on plastic substrates, another treatment known to promote chondrogenesis, induces the production of type II collagen, but not type X collagen. These results demonstrate that the appearance of type X collagen in limb cartilage is environmentally regulated. Mesectodermal cells from the maxillary process of stages 24 and 28 chick embryos were cultured in or on hydrated collagen gels. Such cells initiate synthesis of type II collagen, and eventually type X collagen. Some cells contain only type II collagen and some contain both types II and X collagen. On the other hand, cultures of mandibular processes from stage 29 embryos contain chondrocytes with both collagen types and a larger overall number of chondrogenic foci than the maxillary process cultures. Since the maxillary process does not produce cartilage in situ and the mandibular process forms Meckel's cartilage which does not hypertrophy in situ, environmental influences, probably inhibitory in nature, must regulate chondrogenesis in mesectodermal derivatives. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Identification of superficial zone articular chondrocyte stem/progenitor cells

Identification of progenitor/stem cell populations that differentiate specifically towards superficial zone articular chondrocytes is an unmet challenge for cartilage tissue engineering. Using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis we found a characteristic pattern of "side population" (SP) stem cells identified by the Hoechst 33342 dye. We established micromass cultures from this population of cells and tested their chondrogeneic potential. Control (untreated) cultures were minimally stained for Alcian blue - a marker of chondrogenesis. However, with BMP-7 treatment, Alcian blue staining was increased. Superficial zone protein - a specific marker for articular cartilage superficial zone chondrocytes - increased with BMP-7 and/or TGF-beta1 treatment in SP micromass cultures. Our results demonstrate the presence of stem/progenitor cells in the SP fraction isolated from the surface zone of bovine cartilage and have the ability to specifically differentiate towards the superficial zone articular chondrocyte.     

Chick endogenous lectin enhances chondrogenesis of cultured chick limb bud cells

We have studied the effect of β-d-galactoside-specific lectin purified from 14-day-old chick embryos on the differentiation of the mesenchymal cells dissociated from the limb buds of stage 24 chick embryos, using the micro-mass culture method described previously. When the cells were incubated with the lectin during the initial 12 hr of culture, cell proliferation became slightly activated. The lectin-treated cells formed a greater number of cartilage nodules and incorporated about twice as much as [³⁵S]sulfate per cell than the control cultures. The results of this study show that the chick endogenous lectin promotes cartilage differentiation in vitro and that endogenous lectin may possibly be involved in chondrogenesis in vivo.