Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences on calcified tissues
Bone Abstracts (2013) 1 PP214 | DOI: 10.1530/boneabs.1.PP214

ECTS2013 Poster Presentations Cell biology: osteoclasts and bone resorption (24 abstracts)

Is a network of collagen fibers and blood vessels supporting pre-osteoclast trafficking from the bone marrow to the bone surface?

Thomas Levin Andersen , Helene Bjørg Kristensen & Jean-Marie Delaisse


Clinical Cell Biology (KCB), Institute of Regional Health Science, University of Southern Denmark, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark.


Differentiation of osteoclast progenitor cells into mononucleated TRAcP+ pre-osteoclasts occurs in the bone marrow. But how are these cells dispatched to the future bone resorption sites? We hypothesized that the collagen type III/I-rich reticulin network of the bone marrow might provide a structural framework for localization and migration of differentiating pre-osteoclasts towards the bone surface. Therefore, adjacent sections from decalcified paraffin-embedded iliac crest biopsies from 11 human controls were either stained for reticular fibers, or double-/triple-immunostained for collagens and cell markers. The association between mononuclear cells positive for osteoclast markers and capillaries or collagen fibers was quantified through histomorphometry, and further analyzed by 3D-reconstructions. Numerous mononuclear TRAcP+ cells were identified within the bone marrow. These cells stained also for other osteoclast markers such as OSCAR and cathepsin K, demonstrating that they are pre-osteoclasts. Staining for reticulin, collagen type I, III, and CD34, combined with 3D-reconstructions, revealed collagen III/I-rich reticulin fibers forming a network throughout the bone marrow. These fibers were connected to the blood vessel network and to bone remodeling compartment canopies, forming a continuum with the collagen present in these structures. Interestingly, double-immunostainings revealed that 93% of the TRAcP+ or OSCAR+ pre-osteoclasts were associated with these collagen fibers and with the collagen of the vascular wall. In conclusion, the close association of pre-osteoclasts with the collagen III/I-rich reticulin and blood vessel networks supports the hypothesis that these linear structures provide a physical support for trafficking of differentiating pre-osteoclast towards the bone remodeling compartment canopies covering resorptive surfaces.

Volume 1

European Calcified Tissue Society Congress 2013

Lisbon, Portugal
18 May 2013 - 22 May 2013

European Calcified Tissue Society 

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