Histologic and biochemical identification and characterization of an elastin in cartilage.

Histochemical and chemical techniques have been used to identify, isolate and characterize elastin from certain bovine cartilages. The results strongly suggest that in addition to fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, chondroblasts also synthesize elastin. Some of the possible functions of elastin in elastic cartilages are discussed and the possiblity of a new type of elastin perhaps unique to cartilage is suggested.