Mitochondrial granules in human osteoblasts with a reference to one case of osteogenesis imperfecta.

Electron-dense granules in mitochondria from prenatal human osteoblasts, postnatal human osteoblasts, and from osteoblasts derived from a child with osteogenesis imperfecta congenita are described. The mitochondrial granules were of about 600 A in diameter and were attached to the mitochondrial cristae. Sections of mitochondria from prenatal osteoblasts showed an average number of 10 granuales per mitochondrial section, whereas sections of mitochondria of postnatal osteoblasts showed only occasionally 1-2 granules per mitochondrial section. Mitochondria from osteoblasts derived from the child with an untreated osteogenesis imperfecta congenita showed an average number of 10 granules per mitochondrial section.