Type II collagen synthesis in the articular cartilage of a rabbit model of osteoarthritis: expression of type II collagen C-propeptide and mRNA especially during early-stage osteoarthritis

These results suggest that the type II collagen-synthesizing potential of chondrocytes is highest in moderately degenerated areas of OA articular cartilage. Cartilage repair continues to be seen even as OA advances, although the reaction varies depending on the stage of OA.