Conclusions
Human peripheral blood osteoclast precursors reside in the proliferative monocyte subpopulation.
Methods
Human peripheral blood monocytes were sorted based upon their degree of proliferation and cultured in macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF or CSF-1) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-B ligand (RANKL).
Results
The monocyte subpopulation that is capable of proliferation gave rise to significantly more multinucleated, bone-resorbing osteoclasts than the bulk of the monocytes. Conclusions: Human peripheral blood osteoclast precursors reside in the proliferative monocyte subpopulation.