MAGMAS localization in control growth plates of mice.

Distal femurs of wild-type mice at different developmental stages; (A) 16.5-day embryo; (B) Newborn and (C) 2 week-old; were fixed and stained with anti-MAGMAS antibodies. Sections were also stained with anti-CoX (marker of differentiated hypertrophic chondrocytes) and with HES. MAGMAS expression is reflected by the brown precipitate resulting from the peroxidase reaction. MAGMAS was detected mainly in hypertrophic chondrocytes (black arrows) and osteocytes of control growth plates at the different developmental stages. Its expression was also detected in some type X collagen –negative chondrocytes that are initiating the process of differentiation.