Identification of osteoclasts and their differentiation from mononuclear phagocytes by enzyme histochemistry.
A double staining method is presented which allows the enzyme histochemical differentiation between osteoclasts (mono- and multinucleated forms) and mononuclear phagocytes (macrophages, multinucleated inflammatory giant cells). Osteoclasts are characterized by a strong acid phosphatase activity whereas macrophages and inflammatory giant cells show a variable non-specific esterase activity. The described method may be useful in studying the osteoclast origin and the extraosseous distribution of these cells.
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D043182:Carboxylesterase; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000201:enzymology*; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; D043182:Carboxylesterase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase