Electron Microscopy of Osteoclasts in Healing Fractures of Rat Bone
Year: 1961
Type: article
Abstract: Osmium-fixed, undecalcified, callus tissue from healing fractures of rat tibias was sectioned with a diamond knife for study with the electron microscope. Large multinucleated cells were found adjacent to bone. A characteristic labyrinthine infolded border was consistently seen in parts of the cells close to the bone surface. The innermost parts of this "ruffled border" gave rise to vacuoles. The bone surface was always disrupted under the "ruffled border" of the cells. Needle-like crystals were seen at the osseous fringe, within folds in the ruffled border as well as within vacuoles deeper in the cells. Collagen fibers denuded of crystals were never observed. Mitochondria, containing clusters of fine granules, were abundant. The part of the cell away from bone contained rough endoplasmic reticulum and the cell membrane was thrown into irregular microvilli. These observations are discussed in relation to current concepts of osteoclastic resorption of bone.
Source: The Journal of Cell Biology
DOI: 10.1083/jcb.9.2.299
Authors: Federico Gonzales, Morris J. Karnovsky
Institutions: Harvard University, Baylor University, Baylor College of Medicine
Language: English
Topic: Bone Metabolism and Diseases
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2065456574