Osteogenic periosteum esterase activity: a comparative morphological and cytochemical study of bone cells in situ on rat proximal tibiae and in smears.

Mononucleate phagocytes are presently thought to participate, along with osteoclasts, in bone resorption. Similar cells may also be precursors to osteoclasts. Esterase is a hydrolytic enzyme commonly found in most phagocytes and cells such as these have been shown to degrade bone matrix in vitro. Therefore, periosteal cells of remodeling proximal tibiae in rats were examined for esterase activity. Stain reactions were compared both in situ and in smears. Percentages of different cell types were obtained by counting cells in Wright-Giemsa-stained smears. Osteoclasts and mononucleate phagocyte-like cells made up approximately 20% of the isolated cells. Cells resembling preosteoblasts, mononucleate phagocytes, and osteoblasts stained for esterase activity with light to moderate intensity. Osteoclasts and mononucleate osteoclast-like cells were strongly esterase positive. The esterase was characterized as being type B by using nonorganophosphorus inhibitors of the various esterase types. The addition of esterase to the list of enzyme activities of cells in close proximity to osteoclasts lends further support to the hypothesis that mononucleate cells also participate in bone resorption.