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Preliminary in situ identification of estrogen target cells in bone
Author(s) -
Braidman Isobel P.,
Davenport Lisa K.,
Carter Howard D.,
Selby Peter L.,
Mawer Barbara E.,
Freemont Anthony J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of bone and mineral research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.882
H-Index - 241
eISSN - 1523-4681
pISSN - 0884-0431
DOI - 10.1002/jbmr.5650100112
Subject(s) - estrogen , endocrinology , estrogen receptor , medicine , bone growth , cartilage , chemistry , biology , anatomy , cancer , breast cancer
Abstract Although estrogens profoundly influence skeletal growth and maturation, their mechanism of action is still unclear. To identify their target cells in bone, estrogen receptors were located by immunofluorescence using the H222 monoclonal antibody in cryosections (both undecalcified and briefly decalcified) of hyperplastic mandibular condyle (persistent asymmetric mandibular growth) from a 14‐year‐old girl and radius and ulna from an 18‐month‐old female pig (epiphyseal fusion) and from a 3‐month‐old guinea pig (epiphyses open). Bone was removed from the animals at the peak of estrus. The most striking feature in all three species was the high proportion (approximately 50%) of receptor positive osteocytes. Although all sections contained active bone‐forming surfaces, we were unable to identify clearly osteoblasts or lining cells that were estrogen receptor positive. In pig bone only, distinctive groups of receptor positive chondrocytes, with a pericellular localization of collagen type 1, were detected above the growth plate but below secondary centers of ossification. This observation suggests that osteocytes are major skeletal estrogen target cells and may be involved in coordinating the response of surface bone cells to the hormone, and further that chondrocytes may be involved in estrogen‐induced epiphyseal growth plate fusion.