The immunophenotype of osteoclasts and macrophage polykaryons

Abstract

Our findings indicate that CD51 expression alone is not sufficient for immunocytochemical identification of osteoclasts, which do not express the macrophage-associated antigens CD14 and HLA-DR. Giant cells in most giant cell-rich lesions of bone have an osteoclast phenotype, suggesting that they are formed from mononuclear phagocyte osteoclast precursors.