[Ultrastructural study of osteoclasts: reference to the three-dimensional structure of cultured osteoclasts]

The present study aims to understand the three-dimensional structure of the osteoclast during locomotion. The osteoclasts were gained from the bone marrow cells of new born ddY mouse. These osteoclasts were seeded onto dentine slices and then cultured for 48 hrs. The cells were examined using transmission electron microscopy. The osteoclast seen in this study had an irregular outline and had shifted from previously formed lacunae. This cellular extension was seemed to be lamellipodia. According to these results, the osteoclasts seen in present study were determined to have been during locomotion. The ruffled border of the osteoclast was composed of both finger-like processes and plate-like ones. The plate-like processes were observed in the almost newly formed lacuna. The complicated interwoven membranous gatherings were observed at two extensive areas of the cell body situated in the previously formed lacuna. It is postulated that these structures are related to the incoming and outgoing of the cell membranes of the ruffled border in accordance with cell locomotion.