This is the first successful report of the rapid regeneration of three-dimensional large and homogeneous cartilaginous tissue from rabbit bone marrow cells without a scaffold using a rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor, which simulates a microgravity environment for cells. Bone marrow cells cultured for 3 weeks in DMEM were resuspended and cultured for 4 weeks in the chondrogenic medium within the vessel. Large cylindrical cartilaginous tissue with dimensions of (1.25 +/-0.06)x(0.60 +/- 0.08) cm (height x diadiameter) formed. Their cartilage marker expression was confirmed by mRNA expressions of aggrecan, collagen type I and 11, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG)/DNA ratio. Their cartilaginous properties were demonstrated by toluidine blue, safranin-O staining, and polarization. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.