Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
06:17
Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow
Published on: November 6, 2014
Oestrogen receptors and linear bone growth
Andrei S Chagin1, Lars Sävendahl
1Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. andrei.chagin@ki.se
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 28, 2007
Summary
Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) may offer new ways to control bone growth. By targeting specific oestrogen receptors in the growth plate, SERMs could provide therapeutic options for modulating linear growth.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Bone Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Oestrogen receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta) play crucial roles in regulating longitudinal bone growth.
- Understanding the specific functions of ERalpha and ERbeta in bone development is essential for therapeutic interventions.
- Oestrogenic effects on human bone growth provide a basis for exploring pharmacological modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review available data on linear growth in mice deficient in oestrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and oestrogen receptor beta (ERbeta).
- To discuss these findings in the context of human oestrogenic effects on bone growth.
- To explore the potential of selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for therapeutic modulation of longitudinal bone growth.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature and data.
- Analysis of studies involving ERalpha- and ERbeta-deficient mouse models.
- Correlation of animal model findings with human physiological data.
Main Results:
- Data from ERalpha- and ERbeta-deficient mice provide insights into the distinct roles of these receptors in linear growth.
- Oestrogenic pathways significantly influence longitudinal bone development, as evidenced in mouse models.
- Specific targeting of oestrogen receptors is feasible.
Conclusions:
- Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) show promise for modulating bone growth.
- Targeting specific oestrogen receptors within the growth plate offers a potential therapeutic strategy.
- SERMs could represent a novel approach to managing conditions related to abnormal longitudinal bone growth.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...