Characterization of bone forming cells in posttraumatic myositis ossificans by lectins

Summary Lectins were used to characterize bone forming cells in posttraumatic myositis ossificans. The lectins applied were as follows: Aracbis bypogaea (PNA): specific for β-D-galactose (1,3)N-acetyl-D-galactosamin (Gal-1,3 GaINac), Canavalia ensiformis (Con A): specific for cc-D-glucose (D-Glc) and ct-D-mannose (D-Man) and Wheat germ (WGA): specific for N=acetyl(1,4)D-glucosamlne (Glc-NaQ and neuraminic acid. The development of myositis ossificans was characterized by the appearance ofa WGA binding cell population. The lectin-binding sites appeared as a cluster in the supranuclear cytoplasm, corresponding to the Golgi-complex. However, the FGA lectin-binding sites disappeared in the mature form of myositis ossificans. We assume that these lectin binding cells may be the bone marrow derived precursors of myofibroblast-like cells which are responsible for bone formation within the damaged muscle.