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The antigenic phenotype, ultrastructure and bone resorbing ability of mononuclear and multinucleated giant cells of four giant cell tumour of tendon sheath (GCTTS) lesions was assessed. Both the giant cells and the mononuclear cells exhibited the antigenic phenotype of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. The giant cells, unlike osteoclasts, did not respond morphologically to calcitonin and showed ultrastructural and immunophenotypic features of macrophage polykaryons. However, like osteoclasts, the giant cells showed direct evidence of resorption pit formation on bone slices. This indicates that the GCTTS is composed of cells of histiocytic differentiation with the giant and mononuclear cell components expressing a similar antigenic phenotype. Bone resorption by macrophage polykaryons shows that this is not a unique defining characteristic of osteoclasts. Qualitative differences in the degree and pattern of bone resorption by macrophage polykaryons distinguish it from that of osteoclasts and may underlie the clinical behaviour of osteolytic lesions.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/bjc.1991.125

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Cancer

Publication Date

04/1991

Volume

63

Pages

527 - 533

Keywords

Adult, Bone Resorption, Calcitonin, Female, Giant Cells, Humans, Immunoenzyme Techniques, Macrophages, Male, Middle Aged, Phenotype, Sarcoma, Synovial, Soft Tissue Neoplasms, Tendons, Tumor Cells, Cultured