Abstract: A method for measuring the potency of tissue culture derived chondrocyte or chondrocyte-like cells by correlating levels of the marker molecules SERPINA1 and MMP3 in culture supernatant with a specific level of cell potency; including a method for analyzing chondrogenic potency in cells re-differentiated from chondrocytes losing their chondrogenic potency, or which are differentiated from cells to receive chondrogenic potency; comprising the steps of ascertaining the correlative value of the level of SERPINA1, MMP3, or SERPINA1 and MMP3 marker molecules with the potency level of cultured chondrogenic or chondrogenic-like cells; measuring the level of SERPINA1, MMP3, or SERPINA1 and MMP3 marker molecules contained in the supernatant of monolayer or 3D matrix cultured chondrogenic or chondrogenic-like cells; and ascertaining the potency level of the cells from the concentration of the marker molecules in the measurement.