Figure 4. Mutation of c-Kit increases osteoclast precursors and differentiation but not resorbing activity.

(A) qPCR analysis of c-Kit expression in BMMs, osteoclasts and osteoblasts. (B) Osteoclasts were generated on glass coverslips in the presence of M-CSF and RANKL and osteoclast differentiation was evaluated by TRAP staining (upper). Osteoclasts generated by co-culture with osteoblasts on collagen gel in media containing vitamin D₃ and PGE₂ were replated onto dentin slices and cultured for 48 h (lower). Resorption pits were stained with toluidine blue. (C) TRAP-positive osteoclast number per total area (/mm²) was quantified by OsteoMeasure software. (D) FACS analysis of CD11b⁺, c-Fms⁺ and CD11b⁺ cFms⁺ cells from spleen derived from WT and W^sh/W^sh mice. Results are mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05 versus WT.