Nature of mononuclear cells positive for acid phosphatase activity in bone marrow of patients with renal osteodystrophy.

Fifty two of 63 patients with renal osteodystrophy had one or more mononuclear cells positive for acid phosphatase in the marrow. These cells are also tartrate resistant and non-specific esterase negative, and are believed to be precursors to osteoclasts and other acid phosphatase positive cells resorbing bone on the trabecular surface.