The role and significance of chondroitin sulfate in the development of otosclerosis.

Chondroitin sulfate is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan that predominates in the ground substance of cartilage. Using monoclonal antichondroitin sulfate in 61 specimens of human otosclerotic lesions, we studied the distribution of this glucosaminoglycan in various stages of otosclerosis. Our findings show that chondroitin sulfate plays an important role in the development of otosclerosis. In addition, the distribution of chondroitin sulfate clearly delineates the stage of otosclerosis referred to as active into two distinct histologic stages. Dividing the active stage into "osteolytic" and "sponge-chondroid" would be reasonable based on our findings.