ABSTRACT: Repair of chondral defects using autologous chondrocyte implant assumes the synthesis of these cartilaginous matrix cells with adhesive cotential in the surface of the lesion. In this study, we evaluated the adhesive-reparative potential of chondrocytes which were enzimatically isolated, seeded in vitro in cartilaginous devitalized matrix, and implanted in vivo in subcutaneous pouches of atymic mice. Fifty atymic mice were used, with two experimental samples and two control samples; they were subdivided into 5 experimental periods corresponding to days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 since implant. Adhesivenes analysis in experimental samples always showed increasing values up to a highest value between days 28 and 42; while control samples had null values during the study. Histological analysis of samples revealed that the "biological adhesive component" in the experimental samples consisted of newly formed cartilage capable of promoting the adhesiveness-repair of devitalized matrix. Results showed that chondrocytes that have been isolated and seeded in allogenic devitalized matrix can produce in vivo new cartilaginous tissue with sufficient adhesive capacity to allow reciprocal adhesion on the surface of the lesion.