Rodent osteoclast cultures

Abstract

This chapter describes quantitative methods for isolating and culturing rodent osteoclasts on dentine, a bone-like, resorbable substrate. These techniques generate relatively large numbers of osteoclasts and allow the key processes of osteoclast formation and activation to be studied independently. A special focus will be on the role of extracellular pH, a critical factor in the control of osteoclast function.