Calcium transport in isolated bone cells I. Bone cell isolation procedures

Abstract

Abstract Bone cells were isolated by collagenase‐hyaluronidase digestion of 19–20 day‐old fetal rat calvaria. It is shown that contamination from calcified matrix can give erroneously high values for total cell calcium and can mask intracellular calcium exchange. Filtration of the cell suspension through 35 μ mesh nylon net and a five minute treatment with a cold pH 6.0 isotonic salt solution removed the contamination. Total calcium for cells prepared in this manner was 16.8 mmoles/kg wet weight. 45 Ca uptake studies revealed an active component of calcium exchange.