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Ultrastructural features of osteoclasts in situ
L de Saint-Georges1, S C Miller, B M Bowman
1Division of Radiobiology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
Scanning Microscopy
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Scanning electron microscopy revealed the in situ morphology of osteoclasts on mouse femur surfaces. These bone-resorbing cells were polymorphic and spread out on excavation sites, sometimes connecting with neighbors.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology
- Cellular morphology
- Skeletal research
Background:
- Osteoclasts are crucial for bone remodeling.
- Understanding their in situ morphology is key to bone physiology.
- Previous studies often used artificial substrates or different bone sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in situ morphology of osteoclasts on the endocortical surface of the femoral midshaft.
- To observe osteoclast behavior and interactions in their natural bone environment.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the endocortical surfaces of mouse femurs.
- Perfusion fixation and flushing of bone marrow preserved the natural shape and position of endosteal cells.
- Longitudinal splitting of femurs allowed direct visualization of osteoclast morphology on bone surfaces.
Main Results:
- Bone lining cells formed a contiguous barrier on resting bone surfaces.
- Osteoclasts on resorption surfaces were highly polymorphic, spreading extensively with large pseudopods.
- Osteoclasts appeared connected in resorption areas, suggesting potential functional syncytium formation.
Conclusions:
- The in vivo morphology of osteoclasts on the femur is consistent with previous findings on other bone sites.
- Osteoclasts exhibit dynamic, spread-out morphologies during active bone resorption.
- Evidence suggests osteoclasts may form functional syncytia in resorption domains.