“…Our previous work (Braconi et al, 2010,b; Tinti et al, 2010; Tinti et al, 2011a,2011b; Braconi et al, 2012; Laschi et al, 2012; Millucci et al, 2012; Braconi et al, 2013; Spreafico et al, 2013) suggested that morphological changes of chondrocytes in AKU cartilage may be attributed to apoptosis, but until now no in depth study exists to elucidate if chondroptosis may occur in AKU. Moreover, ultra‐structural observations were complemented with biochemical and proteomic characterization of chondrocytes isolated from the ochronotic cartilage of AKU patients, indicating that AKU chondrocytes are characterized by HGA‐induced apoptosis, protein aggregation, nitric oxide release, and oxidative stress (Tinti et al, 2011a; Laschi et al, 2012; Millucci et al, 2012; Braconi et al, 2013; Spreafico et al, 2013).…”