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Related Concept Videos

Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone 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.
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Compact Bone01:27

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Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
Spongy Bone01:09

Spongy Bone

All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
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Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue01:23

Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue

Bone tissue forms the internal skeleton of vertebrate animals, providing structure to the body.
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Bone, or osseous tissue, is a connective tissue that has a large amount of two different types of matrix material. The organic matrix is similar to the matrix material found in other connective tissues, including some amount of collagen and elastic fibers. This gives strength and flexibility to the tissue. The inorganic matrix consists of mineral salts— mostly calcium salts— that give the...
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Bone Cells and Tissue

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A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro
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Published on: August 27, 2015

Round versus flat: bone cell morphology, elasticity, and mechanosensing.

Rommel G Bacabac1, Daisuke Mizuno, Christoph F Schmidt

  • 1Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam-UvA and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. rgbacabac@gmail.com

Journal of Biomechanics
|April 12, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Cell morphology significantly impacts bone cell mechanics and mechanosensing. Rounder, suspended cells exhibit lower stiffness and heightened nitric oxide (NO) release, suggesting in vivo ellipsoid shapes optimize osteocyte mechanosensing for bone health.

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Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy
08:41

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: June 27, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Biomaterials

Background:

  • Cellular morphology is increasingly linked to function and mechanical properties.
  • In vivo cell geometries, like osteocytes in ellipsoid lacunae, differ from common in vitro flat adherent models.
  • The impact of morphology on bone cell rheology and mechanosensing remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the rheology and mechanosensitivity of bone cells with varying morphologies.
  • To compare mechanical properties and nitric oxide (NO) release between flat adherent and round suspended bone cells.
  • To elucidate the role of cell shape in osteocyte mechanotransduction.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a novel methodology using atomic force microscopy and optical tweezers.
  • Assessment of elastic constants for MLO-Y4 osteocytes and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts in different states (flat adherent vs. round suspended).
  • Monitoring nitric oxide (NO) release from round suspended MLO-Y4 osteocytes under force stimulation.

Main Results:

  • Flat adherent MLO-Y4 osteocytes showed a higher elastic constant (>1 kPa) compared to round, partially adherent cells (<1 kPa).
  • Round suspended MLO-Y4 osteocytes, MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, and primary osteoblasts exhibited similar low elastic constants (<1 kPa).
  • Preliminary data indicate high NO release from round suspended MLO-Y4 osteocytes in response to ~5 pN, contrasting with lower NO release from flat cells under higher forces.

Conclusions:

  • Round cellular morphology correlates with a less stiff cytoskeleton compared to flat morphology.
  • Osteocytes' in vivo ellipsoid shape may enhance their ability to sense small strains, benefiting bone health.
  • The developed assay enables controlled in vitro studies of suspended cell morphologies, offering an alternative to traditional adherent cell models.