Abstract
1. Methods for culturing cells isolated from slices of arthritic human or normal mammalian cancellous bone are described.
2. The capacity of the cultured cells to take up and hydroxylate labelled proline has been investigated.
3. Sections of the partially decalcified bone and of the isolated cells have been examined by transmission electron microscopy.
4. The possible significance of the results and observations are discussed. We are deeply grateful to Dame Janet Vaughan, who very kindly read this manuscript and made several valuable suggestions and criticisms. We are much obliged to Dr Sylvia Fitton-Jackson for her advice on the techniques of tissue culture and for giving us the composition of her chemically defined medium. Dr Palfrey kindly allowed one of us, M. J. Dickens, to learn transmission electron microscopy in his department at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School under the expert tuition of Mr G. Maxwell. Mr R. Hockhan and Mr M. Hepburn of the University of Surrey Structural Studies Unit helpfully instructed in the operation of the transmission electron microscope. Our special thanks are due to Mr E. P. Morris for his competent and enthusiastic technical assistance.
