Abstract
1. The histochemical changes of cellular and extracellular components during the development of experimental heterotopic calcifications (provoked in rats by dihydrotachysterol-(DHT)-feeding and local mechanical injury after Selye, 1962) were investigated. Non-DHT-sensitized animals with skin injuries served as controls. In both groups the first reactions were similar. An edema and heavy synthetic activities of connective tissue cells developed. The discharge of mast cell granules, and increased alkaline phosphatase activity were also observed. Only in DHT-sensitized animals fine mineral deposits appeared and developed into large calcifying plaques. 2. Rats with developing heterotopic calcifications were also injected with a fluorochrome labeled homologous serum protein fraction containing albumin, α1-globulin, transferrin, and haptoglobin. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the specific and selective uptake and binding of this protein by the connective tissue matrix simultaneously with the inorganic calcium deposition. 3. These findings suggest together with the results reported by Lipp (1966, 1967) on bones and our preliminary observations on coronary arteries and kidneys that serum protein may function as a calcium carrier which reacts specifically with the calcifiable ground substance.
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