Osteopetrosis reconsidered as a curable immune disorder.

Osteopetrosis is a unique model for investigating osteoclast formation from lymphocytes and more precisely from T-lymphocytes. In the pathogenesis of this condition, a thymic impairement must be postulated. The cure of several osteopetrotic animal mutants and an infant suffering from juvenile malignant osteopetrosis by injecting normal marrow are the first examples of the successful management of a bone disorder by cell injection.