Fig. 7: TNT-mediated interaction among primary osteoclasts cultured on calcified matrices. | Laboratory Investigation

Fig. 7: TNT-mediated interaction among primary osteoclasts cultured on calcified matrices.

From: In vitro and in vivo detection of tunneling nanotubes in normal and pathological osteoclastogenesis involving osteoclast fusion

Fig. 7

BMMs were stimulated to form osteoclasts in the presence of M-CSF and RANKL and replated on dentin slices followed by culture for 2 or 3 days as described in Materials and Methods. a A small osteoclast with numerous protrusions toward the dentin surface. b Osteoclast with irregular shape observed on the dentin slice. c, d Relatively thick TNT observed between two osteoclasts (arrow). d–h Apparent resorption lacunae were also observed on the surface of the dentin slice (arrowheads). f The resorption lacunae associated with osteoclast. g Typical resorption lacunae with clusters of smaller and larger size of lacunae observed on the surface of the dentin slice, in which collagen fibrils were observed on the floor of resorption lacunae. f, h are the high magnification views of the boxed areas of (e and g), respectively. Scale bars: 10 µm (a–h).

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