Summary
This is a study of the fine structure of cells of the 20-day fetal rat calvarium. Special attention is given to identifying and characterizing preosteoclasts. These cells are relatively common and located largely, but not exclusively, at the endocranial bone surface. The preosteoclasts are characterized by abundant mitochondria, an incomplete perinuclear Golgi apparatus, and variable-shaped dense granules. The dense granules are unique in appearance in that they contain an internal dense matrix surrounded by a clear halo. Most granules are circular in shape but some are elongate or tubular in form. Granules with identical appearance are observed in osteoclasts. The preosteoclasts are mononucleate, or occasionally binucleate. It is suggested that because preosteoclasts are morphologically distinctive and relatively abundant, it should be feasible to separate these cells from a heterogeneous cell isolate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Peck, W.A., Birge, S.J., Jr., Fedar, S.A.: Bone cells: biochemical and biological studies after enzymatic isolation, Science146:1476–1477, 1964
Dziak, R., Brand, J.S.: Calcium transport in isolated bone cells, I. Bone cell isolation procedures, J. Cell Physiol.84:75–84, 1974
Dziak, R., Brand, J.S.: Calcium transport in isolated bone cells. II. Calcium transport studies, J. Cell Physiol.84:85–96, 1974
Puzas, J.E., Brand, J.S.: Collagenolytic activity from isolated bone cells, Biochim. Biophys. Acta429:964–974, 1976
Rodan, S.B., Rodan, G.A.: The effect of parathyroid hormone and thyrocalcitonin on the accumulation of cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate in freshly isolated bone cells, J. Biol. Chem.249(10):3068–3074, 1974
Peck, W.A., Messinger, K., Carpenter, J.: Regulation of pyrimidine ribonucleoside incorporation in isolated bone cells, J. Biol. Chem.246(14):4439–4446, 1971
Peck, W.A., Carpenter, J., Messinger, D., Debra, D.: Cyclic 3′5′-adenosine monophosphate in isolated bone cells: response to low concentrations of parathyroid hormone, Endocrinology92(3):692–697, 1973
Peck, W.A., Carpenter, J.G., Schuster, R.J.: Adenosine-mediated stimulation of bone cell adenylate cyclase activity, Endocrinology99(3):901–909, 1976
Rifkin, B.R., Brand, J.S.: Fine structure of isolated bone cells, J. Dent. Res.56:B133, 1977
Scott, B.L., Glimcher, M.J.: Distribution of glycogen in osteoblasts of fetal rat, J. Ultrastruct. Res.36:365–385, 1971
Scott, B.L.: Thymidine-3H electron microscope radioautography of osteogenic cells in fetal rat, J. Cell Biol.35:115–126, 1967
Scott, B.L.: The occurrence of specific cytoplasmic granules in the osteoclast, J. Ultrastruct. Res.19:417–431, 1967
Van Der Rhee, H.J., de Winter, C.P.M., Daems, W. Th.: Fine structure and peroxidatic activity of rat blood monocytes, Cell Tissue Res.185:1–16, 1977
Marks, S.C., Jr., Walker, D.G.: Mammalian osteopetrosis: a model for studying cellular and humoral factors in bone resorption. In G.H. Bourne (ed.): The Biochemistry and Physiology of Bone, Vol. 4, pp. 227–301. Academic Press, New York 1976
Walker, D.G.: Control of bone resorption by hematopoietic tissue. The induction and reversal of congenital osteopenosis in mice through use of bone marrow and splenic transplants, J. Exp. Med.142:651–663, 1975
Puzas, J.E., Vignery, A., Rasmussen, H.: Isolation of specific bone cell types by free flow electrophoresis, Calcif. Tissue Int.27:263–268, 1979
Puzas, J.E., Brand, J.S.: Parathyroid hormone stimulation of collagenase secretion by isolated bone cells, Endocrinology104(2):559–562, 1979
Luben, R.A., Wong, G.L., Cohn, D.V.: Parathormone-stimulated resorption of devitalized bone by cultured osteoclast-type bone cells, Nature265:629–630, 1977
Luben, R.A., Wong, G.L., Cohn, D.V.: Biochemical characterization with parathormone and calcitonin of isolated bone cells: provisional identification of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, Endocrinology99(2):526, 1976
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rifkin, B.R., Brand, J.S., Cushing, J.E. et al. Fine structure of fetal rat calvarium; provisional identification of preosteoclasts. Calcif Tissue Int 31, 21–28 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02407163
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02407163