We performed histochemical and statistical studies to clarify the mechanism of the coupling phenomenon after administering recombinant human macrophage-colony stimulating factor (rhM-CSF) to 2-week-old osteopetrotic mice (op/op). A single injection of rhM-CSF induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-(TRAP-) positive cells and cement lines from day 3 after administration, and the marrow cavities became larger. The number of TRAP-positive cells was the greatest at day 3, and the length of the TRAP-positive cement lines peaked at day 5. The TRAP-positive cells and cement lines then gradually decreased. Round osteoblasts, actively forming bone matrices, were seen on the cement lines and the bone surfaces. In control mice injected with physiological saline, alveolar bone had an osteopetrotic appearance. TRAP-positive cells were rarely seen in alveolar bone, although a few TRAP-positive cells and cement lines were seen from day 5 to day 14. Most osteoblasts on the bone surfaces were flattened. These results suggest that administration of rhM-CSF promotes an active coupling phenomenon after inducing the differentiation and the activation of osteoclasts. The op/op mouse is a good model for investigating the coupling phenomenon as well as the differentiation of osteoclasts.
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