These findings underline the fact that the osteoclast is a true member of the mononuclear phagocyte system and that phagocytosis does not abrogate either its hormonal response to calcitonin or its highly specialized function of bone resorption. Osteoclast phagocytosis of particles was also evident on scanning electron microscopy, where it could also be seen that these cells were associated with the formation of resorption lacunae. By light microscopy, it was evident that osteoclasts which had phagocytosed both latex and PMMA particles remained responsive to calcitonin. Human and rat osteoclasts were isolated from giant cell tumours of bone and rat long bones, respectively, and cultured on coverslips and cortical bone slices, both in the presence and in the absence of particles of latex (1 micron diameter) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (< 50 microns). Although they are known to be capable of phagocytosis of inert particles, it is not known whether this abolishes their ability to respond to hormones or to form resorption lacunae. Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells specialized for the function of lacunar bone resorption.
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