Biomedical subjects

M H Helfrich

Publications and source records attributed to M H Helfrich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Antibody to beta3 integrin inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in the thyroparathyroidectomized rat.

The cell surface integrin, alphaVbeta3, is important for the attachment of osteoclasts to bone matrix and the subsequent resorption of bone. The present study was designed to determine the effects of F11, a monoclonal antibody to the rat beta3 subunit, on calcium mobilization in a rat model of bone resorption. Male Sprague Dawley rats became hypocalcemic within 18 h after thyroparathyroidectomy. Synthetic PTH-related protein (PTHrP(1-34)) administered to control rats caused serum calcium to return to normal. Anti-beta3 treatment of rats after thyroparathyroidectomy inhibited the calcemic response to PTHrP by 65%. Circulating F11 was biologically active as demonstrated by osteoclast retraction and by the inhibition of adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation via inhibition of the platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 in ex vivo assays. F11 antibody was localized by immunohistological staining to osteoclasts in long bones, suggesting that the mechanism of action of the antibody was via a direct effect upon osteoclasts. Echistatin and calcitonin also inhibited calcemic responses to PTHrP in this in vivo model, whereas an isotype-matched, control antibody was ineffective. These studies provide the first direct evidence in vivo that osteoclast-mediated bone resorption is regulated via beta3 integrin.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Interaction of osteopontin with osteoclast integrins.

Mammalian osteoclasts express three integrin receptors--alpha v beta 3 (vitronectin receptor), alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha v beta 1. The vitronectin receptor recognizes bone matrix proteins, including bone sialoproteins, in an RGD-dependent manner, whereas adhesion to collagen involves beta 1 integrins. Interference with integrin function, by anti-receptor antibodies or RGD-peptides, blocks bone resorption. Data on the mechanism of osteoclast adhesion to sialoproteins and the differential synthesis of osteopontin and bone sialoprotein by osteoclasts is presented. Thus, osteoclasts adhere to both osteopontin and bone sialoprotein with a characteristic irregular morphology with numerous, peripherally placed, actin-rich podosomes. Adhesion is predominantly RGD and beta 3 dependent, though alpha v beta 1 may also be involved in adhesion to bone sialoprotein. KQAGD and AGDV, but not H12, fibrinogen peptides induce osteoclast 'rounding' on osteopontin suggesting there is an alternative anti-adhesive signal to 'RGD.' However, adhesion is not completely inhibited and is not specific for osteopontin as equivalent effects are seen with adhesion to serum. The role of sialoproteins in osteoclast adhesion in situ in the skeleton is complicated by the finding of endogenous synthesis of osteopontin, but not bone sialoprotein, by osteoclasts. The disposition of osteoclast integrins during resorption and the role of integrins and sialoprotein-derived peptides in osteoclast adhesion and function is also reviewed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Nitric oxide: a cytokine-induced regulator of bone resorption.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been reported to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption, yet potent stimulators of bone resorption, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), are known to stimulate NO production. This paradox prompted us to reinvestigate the relationship between NO production and bone resorption in mouse calvarial organ cultures. Control cultures and those stimulated with calciotropic hormones and individual cytokines produced little NO, and under these conditions the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NG-monomethyl arginine (LMMA), had no significant effect on bone resorption. Cytokine combinations were much more potent stimulators of NO production than individual cytokines. Dramatic stimulation of NO production and inhibition of bone resorption resulted when gamma-interferon (IFN) was combined with IL-1 or TNF and these effects were reversed by LMMA. IFN had no effect on bone resorption and little effect on NO production when used alone or in combination with calciotropic hormones, however, suggesting that IFN selectively inhibits cytokine-induced bone resorption by generating large amounts of NO. IL-1 and TNF acted together to stimulate NO production but to a lesser degree than when combined with IFN. LMMA inhibited bone resorption induced by IL-1 and TNF, suggesting that lower concentrations of NO stimulate bone resorption. Experiments with the pharmacological NO donor S-nitroso-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) supported this view in showing generalized suppression of bone resorption at high SNAP concentrations, but potentiation of IL-1 induced bone resorption at lower SNAP concentrations. We conclude that cytokines are potent inducers of NO in bone and that cytokine-induced NO production has biphasic effects on bone resorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Fibrinogen mediates platelet-polymorphonuclear leukocyte cooperation during immune-complex glomerulonephritis in rats.

The metabolic and functional alterations which occur during the acute phase of nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) in rats, a model of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis, result from a cooperative interaction between PMNs and platelets (PLTs). In consequence, we hypothesized that fibrinogen (Fg) might play a critical role in this process and, accordingly, we found that defibrination of animals decreased both the acute phase proteinuria in NTN (approximately 70%) as well as the influx of PLTs and PMNs into the glomerulus (approximately 40-50%). In contrast, blockade of the PLT Fg receptor, alpha IIb beta 3, with the RGD peptidomimetic SC-49992 decreased proteinuria (approximately 90%) without substantially altering the influx of PMNs or PLTs. Immunocytochemistry showed a marked increase in beta 3 integrin expression in inflamed glomeruli which was prevented either by PMN or PLT depletion before disease induction. FACS and immunocytochemical analysis of glomerular cell dissociates demonstrated that beta 3 integrin expression was predominantly on intraglomerular PLTs. In vitro, activated PLTs stimulated the PMN respiratory burst, an interaction which could be inhibited by Fg receptor blockade. In sum, acute NTN is accompanied by a marked increase in glomerular beta 3 integrin expression predominantly due to the influx of PLTs which localize to the glomerulus in a PMN-dependent fashion. Fg appears to serve a major role as a coactivating stimulus for PLT-PMNs in situ via alpha IIb beta 3, potentially mediating the PMN respiratory burst which contributes to proteinuria. Fg may also play a subsidiary role in PMN/PLT comigration.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis: variability of findings at diagnosis and during the natural course.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the variability and the natural course of children suffering from autosomal recessive osteopetrosis to allow optimal counseling and decision making with respect to therapeutic intervention. DESIGN: Retrospective and longitudinal evaluation of clinical symptoms and natural course with emphasis on survival and sensoneurologic and hematologic findings. SETTING: Two large referral-based pediatric bone marrow transplantation units in Europe. PATIENTS: Thirty-three patients with autosomal recessive osteopetrosis admitted to units in Paris and Leiden between 1972 and 1988 were analyzed until last follow-up or the time at which bone marrow transplantation was performed. The great number of patients and unprecedented amount of data make this report one of the single largest clinical studies on autosomal recessive osteopetrosis. MAIN RESULTS: Ocular involvement occurring at a median age of 2 months was the symptom at initial examination in half of the patients. A striking variability between patients was found. Retinal degeneration was present in three patients and associated generalized neurodegeneration was present in two. The probability of survival until the age of 6 years was about 30% for the group as a whole. The cumulative risk of developing visual or hematologic impairment in the first year of life was about 75% and leveled off afterward. Patients with early hematologic impairment, ie, before 3 months of age, especially when combined with early visual impairment, had a very poor prognosis regarding life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis seems to be a variable disorder with a poor prognosis, especially in children with early visual and hematologic impairment. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation remains the only curative approach.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

PubMed1993

Modulation of vitronectin receptor-mediated osteoclast adhesion by Arg-Gly-Asp peptide analogs: a structure-function analysis.

This study details the investigation of induction of retractile shape change in the osteoclast through inhibition of adhesion between osteoclasts and matrix with (1) peptide analogs bearing an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence, (2) antibodies to the integrin alpha V beta 3 vitronectin receptor, and (3) the RGD-containing snake venom peptide echistatin. Osteoclast retraction on dentin has been demonstrated for GRGDSP peptide, in contrast to the inactivity of the analog containing the conservative RGE sequence modification. An osteoclast adhesion assay employing rat or chick bone cells and serum-coated glass coverslips as substrate was developed for routine evaluation of inhibition of adhesion. Antibodies F4 and F11 to the beta 3 chain of rat vitronectin receptor were effective at submicromolar concentrations in rat osteoclasts (IC50 0.29 and 0.05 microM, respectively), whereas MAb 23C6 to human/chick vitronectin receptor was somewhat less effective against chick osteoclasts (IC50 1.6 microM). A rank order of RGD analog activity (mean IC50, microM) in the serum-coated glass adhesion assay was derived for the linear peptides GRGDSP (201 microM), GRGDTP (180 microM), Ac-RGDS-NH2 (84 microM), Ac-RGDV-NH2 (68 microM), RGDV (43 microM), GRGDS (38 microM), and RGDS (26 microM). The two most potent short peptides were the cyclic analog SK&F 106760 Ac-S,S-cyclo-(Cys-(N alpha Me)Arg-Gly-Asp-Pen)-NH2 (IC50 7.0 microM), and the Telios peptide H-Gly-S,S-cyclo-(Pen-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys)-Ala-OH (IC50 6.6 microM). The snake venom peptide echistatin was the most potent substance evaluated in the serum-coated glass assay (IC50 0.78 nM) employing either rat or chick osteoclasts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Spatial organization of microfilaments and vitronectin receptor, alpha v beta 3, in osteoclasts. A study using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

The primary function of the osteoclast is that of the major cell mediating bone resorption. They are actively migrating cells but during resorption they polarize to form a specialized tight attachment structure, the sealing zone, adjacent to the mineralized bone matrix. The processes of adhesion to, and migration on, bone involves cell adhesion molecules, integrins, interacting with their ligands in bone. We have used confocal microscopy to analyse, in rat osteoclasts cultured on bone and glass substrata, the distribution of vitronectin receptor, the major integrin of osteoclasts, and cytoskeletal proteins that it may be linked to. Double staining for F-actin and vinculin, and for vinculin with talin, revealed that cytoskeletal organization differs at various activation states of osteoclasts. Microfilament structures were flat, of 1.5 microns size, and concentrated near the bone surface. The vitronectin receptor was localized both in the basolateral membrane (away from the bone surface) and in the ruffled border (adjacent to bone) in osteoclasts cultured on bone, but was detected mainly in the basolateral membrane when cultured on glass. The vitronectin receptor appeared to be condensed on small microvilli-like projections on the basolateral membrane of osteoclasts on either bone or glass and may provide a route for alternative signalling pathways to modify osteoclast behaviour, other than by influencing cell adhesion directly. The leading edges of migrating osteoclasts, and the attachment structure, a broad vinculin band, which forms before bone resorption, also expressed vitronectin receptor, particularly when the antibody against the alpha v subunit was used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

PubMed1993

Integrin receptor-mediated mobilisation of intranuclear calcium in rat osteoclasts.

Cell-matrix interactions have been shown to play an important role in regulating cell function and behaviour. In bone, where calcified matrix formation and resorption events are required to be in dynamic equilibrium, regulation of adhesive interactions between bone cells and their matrix is critical. The present study focuses on the osteoclast, the bone resorbing cell, as well as integrins, which are cell surface adhesion receptors that mediate osteoclast attachment to bone matrix. In osteoclasts, the most abundant integrin receptor is the vitronectin receptor (VNR, alpha v beta 3). The objective of the study was to investigate changes in intracellular calcium, a regulator of osteoclast function, following addition of peptides that bind integrins, in particular the alpha v beta 3 form of the vitronectin receptor (VNR), which is highly expressed in osteoclasts. The study demonstrated a unique spatial localisation of the calcium signal in response to cell membrane receptor occupancy by integrin ligands in rat osteoclasts. Addition of peptides with the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence such as BSP-IIA, GRGDSP and GRGDS to rat osteoclasts evoked an immediate increase in free calcium ion concentration [Ca2+]i, localised to the nuclei and to the thin cytoplasmic skirt. These responses were inhibited by F11, a monoclonal antibody to the rat integrin beta 3 chain, as well as echistatin, a snake venom shown to colocalise with the alpha v chain in osteoclasts, suggesting that the calcium signal is mediated by the alpha v beta 3 form of VNR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Rat osteoclasts adhere to a wide range of RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptide-containing proteins, including the bone sialoproteins and fibronectin, via a beta 3 integrin.

The ligand binding ability of rat osteoclast adhesion receptors was investigated in an attachment assay using osteoclasts disaggregated from bone. Osteoclasts adhered well to the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing proteins osteopontin (bone sialoprotein I) and BSP (bone sialoprotein II), vitronectin, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and fibronectin. Osteoclasts also adhered, but less strongly, to type I collagen. No attachment of osteoclasts was observed to thrombospondin, tenascin, laminin, or a range of non-RGD-containing bone proteins and proteins from other sources. The attachment of osteoclasts to all ligands was abolished in the presence of GRGDSP peptide, indicating the involvement of the RGD cell binding sequence in ligand binding. Attachment of osteoclasts to all substrates, with the exception of type I collagen, was also strongly inhibited by the addition of monoclonal antibody F11 to the beta 3 integrin subunit, indicating that a beta 3 integrin, probably the vitronectin receptor, was involved. Attachment to type I collagen was blocked by EDTA chelation of divalent cations and was not significantly affected by anti-beta 3 or anti-beta 1 antibodies; when taken with the inhibition by RGD peptide, this suggests the involvement of various receptors, possibly including nonintegrin collagen receptors, in the binding of osteoclasts to this protein. These results define the wide range of ligands for extracellular matrix receptors in osteoclasts in vitro. It remains to be established which of these proteins are important in osteoclast adhesion and osteoclastic bone resorption in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Integrins on rat osteoclasts: characterization of two monoclonal antibodies (F4 and F11) to rat beta 3.

Two monoclonal antibodies, F4 and F11, were raised to newborn rat bone cell suspensions. These antibodies are shown by immunocytochemistry on tissue sections to recognize an antigen shared between osteoclasts, megakaryocytes, and platelets. Immunoprecipitation analysis of the antigen from C6 rat glial cells followed by SDS-PAGE showed a heterodimeric molecule with a characteristic integrin-like shift in apparent molecular mass upon reduction (137/78 kD nonreduced; 118/100 kD reduced); the low-molecular-mass band comigrates with the beta 3 subunit precipitated with polyclonal antihuman vitronectin receptor antiserum, and the high-molecular-mass band comigrates with the alpha v subunit precipitated with a polyclonal antiserum to a C-terminal amino acid sequence of human alpha v. Antibody F4 strongly cross-reacts with human cells and is shown in cross-blocking experiments and immunoprecipitation analysis with a human melanoma cell line DX3 to recognize a seemingly identical molecule as identified by anti-alpha v beta 3 monoclonal antibody 23C6. Expression of F4 and F11 is reduced in platelets from a patient heterozygous for Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. Taken together, these results indicate that F4 and F11 recognize rat CD61, the integrin beta 3 chain, which, as was confirmed with polyclonal anti CD61 antisera, is highly expressed in rat osteoclasts. These antibodies may be useful tools in investigating the biochemical nature and biologic function of beta 3 integrins in rat osteoclasts. Additionally, because high expression of beta 3 in vivo is restricted to osteoclasts, megakaryocytes, and platelets, these antibodies may be used to help identify osteoclasts in tissue sections and bone cell suspensions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

An assessment of the ability of human bone marrow cultures to generate osteoclasts.

Several groups have successfully generated osteoclasts in cultures of murine haemopoietic cells. This approach would clearly be useful in the analysis of mechanisms of regulation of human osteoclast formation if analogous results could be obtained in cultures of human bone marrow. This communication describes independent attempts by three groups to generate unequivocally defined osteoclasts from bone marrow obtained from human iliac crest, femoral neck, rib, and from foetuses. The haemopoietic tissue was incubated using techniques described by others for production of osteoclast-like cells, and with variants of this technique using strategies based on our experiences with murine osteoclastogenesis. Haemopoietic cells were incubated with calcium regulating hormones, cytokines, osteoblastic supernatants, and osteoblastic or bone marrow stromal cell layers. Formation of cells capable of excavation of bone slices was rarely seen. Despite the paucity of bone resorbing cells, multinucleate cells (MNCs) developed with similar characteristics to the MNCs that have been interpreted as osteoclast-like in human bone marrow cultures. The MNCs were, however, calcitonin-receptor (CTR) negative, and did not show the typical pattern of reactivity with osteoclast-specific antibodies. They possessed instead an antigenic profile characteristic of macrophage polykaryons. We conclude that the MNCs which consistently generate in human bone marrow cultures do not possess phenotypic characteristics specific for osteoclasts and appear to be macrophage polykaryons. The conditions required for osteoclast generation in cultures of human haemopoietic cells remain to be defined.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

PubMed1991

Integrin expression in human melanoma cell lines: heterogeneity of vitronectin receptor composition and function.

Ten human melanoma cell lines were examined for integrin-receptor expression using a panel of antibodies directed against different integrin subunits. Considerable heterogeneity was detected for levels of expression of 7 integrins, including the alpha v beta 3 vitronectin receptor where a correlation between tumorigenic capacity in athymic nude mice and alpha v beta 3 levels was found. Detailed analysis of the vitronectin receptor on these lines revealed heterogeneity of composition. In one cell line, VUP, an alpha v beta 1 association was detected and, by antibody-inhibition studies, this receptor was shown to bind vitronectin as its ligand. In another line, DX3, evidence was obtained which indicated that apart from the alpha v beta 3 receptor the alpha v was able to associate with another beta subunit which was not beta 3. The existence of these alternative forms of the vitronectin receptor in this small sample of tumours of common origin might explain why the capacity to bind to fibrinogen and vitronectin substrates by these cells did not necessarily correlate with alpha v beta 3 levels.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides and the anti-vitronectin receptor antibody 23C6 inhibit dentine resorption and cell spreading by osteoclasts.

Studies with a range of monoclonal and polyclonal antisera to components of the human, rat, and chick vitronectin receptor, alpha V beta 3, and the VLA beta 1 chain show that chick and rat osteoclasts express similar integrin receptors to those described in man. Biochemical analysis with monoclonal antibody 23C6 confirmed the presence on chick osteoclasts of a vitronectin receptor heterodimer of similar size (110/95 kDa reduced) to that immunoprecipitated from human osteoclastoma giant cells. The synthetic peptide GRGDSP, corresponding to the cell adhesion sequence in fibronectin, but not GRGESP peptide, induced significant (P less than 0.005) osteoclast retraction in chick and rat osteoclasts at IC50s (+/- SEM) of 210.0 +/- 14.4 and 191.4 +/- 13.7 microM, respectively; monoclonal anti-vitronectin receptor alpha V beta 3 complex antibody, 23C6, produced similar changes in chick osteoclasts (IC50 = 1.45 +/- 0.22 microM). Antibody 23C6 inhibited the number of pits resorbed in dentine by chick osteoclasts over a concentration range of 4.4 to 88 micrograms/ml; a significant 76% reduction (P = 0.03) was observed at a final concentration of 88 micrograms/ml (6 microM). The effect of peptides upon dentine resorption was less dramatic. No consistent inhibition was seen using chick osteoclasts. Inhibitory effects on resorption by rat osteoclasts were, however, observed; significant reduction in resorption occurred with both GRGDSP (78%; P less than 0.01) and GRGESP (67%; P = 0.02) peptides at 400 microM peptide concentration. These data demonstrate that osteoclast function can be disrupted by low concentrations of the anti-vitronectin receptor antibody, 23C6. The inhibitory effects of the peptides used in this study produced effects on dentine resorption which were generally weaker and variable, although osteoclast cell adhesion was consistently inhibited in an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-dependent manner. We conclude that the vitronectin receptor may play an important role in effecting resorption of mineralized tissues by osteoclasts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Morphologic features of bone in human osteopetrosis.

Trabecular bone biopsies obtained from six patients with malignant osteopetrosis, one patient with benign osteopetrosis, and two controls were examined by light and electron microscopy. Osteopetrotic osteoclasts showed little to no signs of active involvement in bone resorption. Ruffled borders and clear zones were absent in most cells. In all patients there were large numbers of osteoclasts. Numbers of osteoblasts, bone lining cells, and bone marrow stromal cells were extremely low in all patients with malignant osteopetrosis. In six of the patients a mineralized layer of amorphous organic material lacking collagen fibrils was seen covering large areas of the bone or cartilage matrix. We suggest that this layer represents a pathological calcification on which subsequently organic material has accumulated. The abnormalities in osteopetrotic bone are discussed in the light of the pathogenesis of this disease.

Bone and Bones↗

PubMed1991

Vitronectin receptor has a role in bone resorption but does not mediate tight sealing zone attachment of osteoclasts to the bone surface.

During bone resorption, osteoclasts form a tight attachment, the sealing zone, around resorption lacunae. Vitronectin receptor has previously been shown to be expressed in osteoclasts and it has been suggested that it mediates the tight attachment at the sealing zone. In this study we have shown that glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-serine pentapeptide inhibits bone resorption by isolated osteoclasts and drastically changes the morphology of the osteoclasts. When the vitronectin receptor was localized by immunofluorescence in rat and chicken osteoclasts cultured on bone slices, it was found to be distributed throughout the osteoclast cell membrane except in the sealing zone areas. Immunoperoxidase staining of rat bone sections at the light microscopical level also revealed intense staining of the cell membrane with occasional small unstained areas, probably corresponding to the sealing zones. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the results obtained by light microscopy showing specific labeling only at the ruffled borders and basolateral membranes (0.82 and 2.43 gold particles/microns of membrane, respectively), but not at the sealing zone areas (0.06 gold particles/microns of membrane). Both alpha v and beta 3 subunits of the vitronectin receptor were similarly localized. These results strongly suggest that, although the vitronectin receptor is important in the function of osteoclasts, it is not mediating the final sealing zone attachment of the osteoclasts to the mineralized bone surface.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Osteoclast formation in vitro from progenitor cells present in the adult mouse circulation.

The development of multinucleated cells with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity was studied in coverslip cultures of murine blood leukocytes and in cocultures of blood leukocytes with murine fetal bone rudiments. Cells with TRAP activity were not present among the leukocytes before culture and were absent in the bone rudiments at the time of explanation. After 14 days, macrophages with only tartrate-sensitive acid phosphatase activity developed in cultures of leukocytes without long bones. Multinucleated cells were not seen. In cocultures of leukocytes with bone rudiments, however, multinucleated cells with a strong TRAP activity had formed after 10-14 days of coculture. These TRAP-positive cells had invaded the bones and resorbed part of the calcified matrix. Electron microscopy revealed ruffled borders on the resorbing cells. In cocultures, TRAP-positive cells also formed from leukocyte fractions depleted of strongly adherent cells. Also on the cellophane supports of the cocultures, mononuclear cells with a stellate appearance and a strong TRAP activity were seen. We suggest that, in the cocultures, osteoclasts developed from a TRAP-negative, circulating progenitor cell. The presence of osteoclast progenitor cells in the circulation is discussed in light of the descent of osteoclasts from hematopoietic stem cells. That appearance of TRAP activity was always seen in resorbing cells and was not acquired in monocytes present in the leukocyte fraction by mere culture means that in the mouse TRAP is a useful marker for osteoclasts.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1988

A morphologic study of osteoclasts isolated from osteopetrotic microphthalmic (mi/mi) mouse and human fetal long bones using an instrument permitting combination of light and scanning electron microscopy.

Cell surface structures of isolated osteopetrotic (mi/mi) and normal murine (+/+ and +/mi) and human osteoclasts were examined in a microscope combining light and scanning electron microscopy (LM/SEM). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TrAP) was used as an histochemical osteoclast marker. In osteopetrotic bone, as in normal murine bone, TrAP activity was exclusively seen in osteoclasts and preosteoclasts and was therefore judged a suitable marker for identification of isolated osteoclasts. A method was developed for preparation of LM/SEM specimens from osteoclast-enriched cell suspensions. In the LM/SEM isolated osteoclasts were easily recognized in the LM mode by TrAP contents. In specimens prepared from murine cells, but not human cells, LM identification of osteoclasts by TrAP was essential. This was in particular true for small, mononuclear, mi/mi osteoclasts. All osteoclasts examined had a villous appearance and were well spread over the glass substrate. There were no differences in cell surface morphology and in adherence to glass between osteopetrotic and normal osteoclasts.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1987

Osteoclast generation from human fetal bone marrow in cocultures with murine fetal long bones. A model for in vitro study of human osteoclast formation and function.

Osteoclast formation in vitro from human progenitor cells was studied in cocultures of periosteum-free murine long-bone rudiments and human fetal tissues. No osteoclasts were generated from chorionic villi or from fetal liver, but bone marrow and purified bone-marrow fractions gave rise to multinucleated cells that resorbed calcified cartilage matrix. These polykarya react very strongly for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TrAP) and upon ultrastructural examination show large ruffled borders in areas of resorption. Resorption of murine calcified cartilage matrix by human osteoclasts was less than resorption. by osteoclasts formed from murine fetal bone-marrow cells. Our results show that the murine long-bone rudiment can be used to generate osteoclasts from human sources of progenitor cells and to assess the biological activity of the formed osteoclasts. This coculture system thereby offers possibilities to study human osteoclast pathology in vitro. The use of TrAP as marker for osteoclasts in cell cultures is discussed.

Animals↗