Electron microscopie and enzyme cytochemical studies on the guinia pig metaphysis with special reference to the lysosomal system of different cell types.

A transmission electron microscopic study of demineralized, methaphyseal bone of the young guinea pig is presented. Special attention is paid to the lysosomal system of the different cell types. Visualization of acid phosphatase and aryl sulfatase activity was used to identify tissue components as belonging thereto. The distribution of alkaline phosphatase activity, a plasma membrane marker, was also examined. Osteoblasts were distinguished by a marked development of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex. Perivascular cells type A, morphologically resembled the osteoblasts, and are believed to represent an early stage in the specialization of the latter. A few lysosomes were normally found in the osteoblasts; they were less common in the type A cells. In contrasts to their regular occurrence in guinea pig epiphyseal cartilage, dense bodies of lysosomal nature ("type I vesicles") were only rarely seen in the bone matrix. Structures analogous to the type II vesicles in cartilage were, however, normally present. Their membrane showed activity of alkaline phosphatase. Possible functions of lysosomes and matrix vesicles in osteogenesis are discussed. Perivascular cells type B and chondroclasts both contained a prominent Golgi complex and large numbers of free ribosomes, mitochondria and lysosomes. In the type B cells, inclusion material of varying appearance often occurred in the lysosomes and in endocytic vesicles. The chondroclasts sometimes presented a ruffled border, with associated vacuoles and lysosomes in the subjacent cytoplasm. It is suggested that both cell types participate in the resorption of the epiphyseal cartilage. Chondroclasts presumably arise by fusion of type B cells and/or monocytic precursors from the peripheral blood.