Biological Regulation of the Chondrocytes provides a comprehensive examination of the various regulations in which cartilaginous cells are involved. The book's introductory chapter provides an overview of the different types of chondrocyte, while following chapters discuss the various biological regulations implicated in chondrocyte functions, especially the modulation of differentiative properties. Chapters 2 and 3 examine the extracellular matrix components, and Chapter 4 discusses the special case of cultured chondrocytes and the usefulness of in vitro approaches. The following three chapters focus on the complex role of cartilaginous growth factors and cytokines (FGF, TGFB, IGF, and IL1) on the modulation of the chondrocyte properties. Chapter 9 discusses the synoviocyte, and the last four chapters examine the biochemical and molecular perturbations that appear during repair, aging, rheumatic disease, and cancer. Biological Regulation of the Chondrocytes will benefit rheumatologists, pharmaceutical researchers, physiologists, connective tissue specialists, and students and other researchers in the osteoarticular field.