Читать книгу The SAGE Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research - Группа авторов - Страница 314

Cartilage is a firm but flexible connective tissue consisting of cells and intracellular fibers embedded in an amorphous gel-like material. It is essential for growth both before and after birth. In the embryo, the axial and the appendicular skeleton are formed first as cartilage and are replaced by bone. Apart from the capability to undergo rapid growth, cartilage maintains a substantial degree of stiffness, which provides support to the skeleton and holds bones together. It functions to reduce friction and has a cushioning effect between joints. Unlike other types of tissue, cartilage does not have a blood supply, which delays its healing ability. Various disease states are associated with cartilage pathology. Ongoing stem cell research at the Johns Hopkins Medicine Joint Repair Department is using MSCs in a key step toward creating minimally invasive procedures that may be used to repair injured cartilage tissues.