Skip to main content
Log in

The incidence and size of gap junctions between the bone cells in rat calvaria

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Polyclonal antisera to synthetic peptides matching sequences on the cytoplasmic regions of connexin-43, a gap junction protein first identified in rat heart, have been used to immunolabel gap junctions in the calvarial bone, maintained intact as in vivo, of 1- to 2-week-old rats. The specimens were examined in reflection and fluorescence modes by scanning laser confocal microscopy, and the numbers of gap junctions and their sizes estimated. The mean number of connexin-43 immunolabelled junctions per osteoblast (n=65) was 15.3 (SD ± 4.5). The mean length of 227 junctions, selected for the sharpness of the image of the fluorescent spot, was 0.67 μm (SD ± 0.18; range 0.37–1.29 μm) and their mean area 0.26 μm2 (SD ± 0.145; range 0.075–0.93 μm2); these probably fell within the upper half of the total size range. Gap junctions were detected between preosteoblasts, osteoblasts, osteocytes and chondrocytes, and between these juxtaposed cell types. In addition, connexin-43 immuno-labelled junctions were found between some osteoclasts and overlying mononuclear cells at active sites of resorption.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akisaka T, Yoshida H, Kogaya Y, Kim S, Yamamoto M, Kataoka K (1990) Membrane modifications in chick osteoclasts revealed by freeze-fracture replicas. Am J Anat 188:381–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Civitelli R, Warlow PM, Robertson A, Beyer EC, Steinberg TH (1992) Intercellular communication correlates with expression of connexin-43 in osteoblastic cells. J Bone Min Res 7:S125

    Google Scholar 

  • Coelho CND, Kosher RA (1991) Gap junctional communication during limb cartilage differentiation. Dev Biol 144:47–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Donahue HJ, Grine EA, Andersen J, McLeod KJ, Rubin CT, Hertzberg EL, Brink PR (1992) Distribution, expression and hormonal regulation of gap junctional proteins in bone cell networks. J Bone Min Res 7 [Suppl 1]:S127

    Google Scholar 

  • Doty SB (1981) Morphological evidence of gap junctions between bone cells. Calcif Tissue Int 33:509–512

    Google Scholar 

  • Doty SB (1988) Cell-to-cell communication in bone tissue. In: Davidovitch Z (ed) The biological mechanisms of tooth eruption and root resorption. EBSCO Media, Brimingham, Al 35233. 1988 pp 61–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Ejiri S, Ozawa H (1982) Scanning electron microscopic observations of rat tibia using the HCl-collagenase method. Arch Histol Jpn 45:399–404

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Fouly MH, Trosko JE, Chang CC (1987) Scrape-loading and dye transfer. A rapid and simple technique to study gap junctional intercellular communication. Exp Cell Res 168:422–430

    Google Scholar 

  • Furseth R (1973) Tight junctions between osteocyte processes. J Dent Res 81:339–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Gourdie RG, Harfst E, Severs NJ, Green CR (1990) Cardiac gap junctions in rat ventricle: localization using site-directed antibodies and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Cardioscience 1990;1:75–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Gourdie RG, Green CR, Severs NJ (1991) Gap junction distribution in adult mammalian myocardium revealed by an anti-peptide antibody and laser scanning confocal microscopy. J Cell Science 99:41–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray C 1992 A study of the effects of androgens and other factors on cells derived from deer antler and mammalian bones. PhD Thesis, University of London

  • Harfst E, Severs NJ, Green CR (1990) Cardiac myocyte gap junctions: evidence for a major connexon protein with an apparent relative molecular mass of 70000. J Cell Sci 96:591–604

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaworski ZFG, Wieczorek E (1985) Constants in lamellar bone formation determined by osteoblast kinetics. Bone 6:361–363

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeansonne BG, Feagin FF, McMinn RW, Shoemaker RL, Rehm WS (1979) Cell-to-cell communication of osteoblasts. J Dent Res 58:1415–1423

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones SJ (1974) Secretory territories and rate of matrix production of osteoblasts. Calcif Tissue Res 14:309–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones SJ, Boyde A (1972) A study of human root cementum surfaces as prepared for and examined in the scanning electron microscope. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat 130:318–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones SJ, Boyde A (1979) Colonization of various natural substrates by osteoblasts in vitro. Scanning Electron Microscopy/ 1979/II SEM, AMF O'Hare, Ill, pp 529–538

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones SJ, Taylor ML (1990) Confocal fluorescence microscopy: some applications in bone cell biology. J Microsc 158:249–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones SJ, Boyde A, Pawley JB (1975) Osteoblasts and collagen orientation. Cell Tissue Res 159:73–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller SC, Jee WSS (1987) The bone lining cell: a distinct pheno-type? Calcif Tissue Int 41:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller SC, de Saint-Georges L, Bowman BM, Jee WSS (1989) Bone lining cells: structure and function. Scanning Microsc 3:953–961

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker SB, Butler WT, Hertzberg EL, Mintoff R (1992) Expression of gap junctions in osteogenic tissue during mandibular development (abstract). J Dent Res 71: (Special Issue):683

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosendaal M, Gregan A, Green CR (1991) Direct cell-cell communication in the blood-forming system. Tissue Cell 23:457–470

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiller PC, Metha PP, Roos BA, Howard GA (1992) Connexin 43 as a potential mediator of PTH regulation of cell-cell communication in rat osteoblasts. J Bone Min Res 7 [Suppl 1]: S207

    Google Scholar 

  • Schirrmacher K, Schmilz I, Winterhager E, Traub O, Brummer F, Jones D, Bingmann D (1992) Characterization of gap junctions between osteoblast-like cells in culture. Calcif Tissue Int 51:285–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro F (1988) Cortical bone repair. The relationship of the lacunar-canalicular system and intercellular gap junctions to the repair process. J Bone Joint Surg 70-A: 1067–1081

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw PJ, Rawlins DF (1991) The point-spread function of a confocal microscope: its measurement and use in deconvolution of 3-D data. J Microsc 163:151–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Shen V, Rifas L, Kohler G, Peck WA (1986) Prostaglandins change cell shape and increase intercellular gap junctions in osteoblasts cultured from rat fetal calvaria. J Bone Min Res 1:243–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanka P (1975) Occurrence of cell junctions and microfilaments in osteoblasts. Cell Tissue Res 159:423–433

    Google Scholar 

  • Szarowski DH, Smith KL, Herchenroder A, Matuszek G, Swann JW, Turner JN (1992) Optimized reflection imaging in laser confocal microscopy and its application to neurobiology: modifications to the BioRad MRC-500. Scanning 14:104–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Visser TD, Groen FCA, Brakenhoff GJ (1991) Absorption and scattering correction in fluorescence confocal microscopy. J Microsc 163:189–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Warner A (1988) The gap junction. J Cell Sci 89:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinger JM, Holtrop ME (1974) An ultrastructural study of bone cells: the occurrence of microtubules, microfilaments and tight junctions. Calcif Tissue Res 14:15–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson T (1990) Confocal microscopy. Academic Press, San Diego, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmer DB, Green CR, Evans WH, Gilula NB (1987) Topological analysis of the major protein in isolated intact rat liver gap junctions and gap junction-derived single membrane structures. J Biol Chem 262:7751–7763

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jones, S.J., Gray, C., Sakamaki, H. et al. The incidence and size of gap junctions between the bone cells in rat calvaria. Anat Embryol 187, 343–352 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185892

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185892

Key words

Navigation