Stromal cell structure and relationships in perimedullary spaces of chick embryo shaft bones

Structure and relationships of stromal cells were studied by light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the perimedullary spaces that form the growing cortex of the chick embryo tibia. Observation under LM showed that in all perimedullary spaces the interstices between the cells carpeting the bone surface and the endothelial lining contain stromal cells surrounded by an amorphous matrix. Two types of stromal cells were distinguished: stellate and spindle-shaped. All stromal cells are alkaline phosphatase-positive. TEM showed that both types of stromal cells have cytoplasmic processes of various length and calibre, coming into contact with each other as well as with endothelial cells and osteoblasts or bone lining cells. Capillaries were found to have a continuous endothelial lining; occasionally endothelial cells radiate cytoplasmic processes towards stromal cells. Along all the above-mentioned cellular contacts adherens and/or gap junctions were often observed. The results of the present study, together with our previous findings on osteoblast-osteocyte relationships, show that the cells of the osteogenic lineage form a continuous protoplasmic network that extends from the osteocytes to the vascular endothelium, passing through osteoblasts (or bone lining cells) and stromal cells. The occurrence of gap junctions among this cytoplasmic network, namely of junctions enabling metabolic and electric coupling, indicates that it forms a functional syncytium, suggesting the hypothesis that the activity of the cells pertaining to the osteogenic lineage might be regulated not only by diffusion (volume transmission) through the intercellular fluids of systemic (hormones) and local factors (cytokines, etc.) but also by signals issued through the cytoplasmic network of the osteogenic cells (wiring transmission).