Fig. (2) Cell proliferation assays: Comparison of the overall
proliferative capacity of fresh and frozen cells related to the
superficial or deep origin of the articular cartilage biopsy. Fresh or
frozen human knee superficial and deep articular cartilage
chondrocytes were stimulated by culturing with Dulbecco's
Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) with 10% fetal bovine serum
(FBS). Following staining with toluidine blue, the cells were
solubilized and the absorbance was determined. The results
represent the differences in absorbance for stimulated cells relative
to the control culture in DMEM without FBS at the same time
point. * p<0.05.