[Osteocytes and adhesion molecules]

Osteocytes, dendric resident cells in bone, transduce signals of mechanical loading that results in anabolic responses of bone. We have reported the involvement of stretch-activated Ca channels (SA-Cat) in this process. Besides, integrin receptors have been reported to function as mechanosensors. Osteocytes express some adhesion molecules, integrins and CD44, which could mediate signal transduction of mechanical stress as well as osteoblastic differentiation.