Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
06:17
Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow
Published on: November 6, 2014
Osteoclasts have multiple roles in bone in addition to bone resorption
Brendan F Boyce1, Zhenqiang Yao, Lianping Xing
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Brendan_Boyce@urmc.rochester.edu
Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression
|November 4, 2009
Summary
Osteoclasts, crucial for bone remodeling, have newly discovered roles beyond bone resorption. These cells also regulate stem cell movement and participate in immune responses, impacting bone health.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Bone Biology
Background:
- Osteoclasts are essential for bone remodeling and are implicated in bone loss during disease.
- These cells originate from myeloid/monocyte precursors circulating in the blood.
- Osteoclast precursors (OCPs) aggregate at bone surfaces to form multinucleated resorptive cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the multifaceted functions of osteoclasts and OCPs.
- To highlight novel roles of these cells beyond bone resorption.
- To discuss their significance in osteoimmunology and bone pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on osteoclasts and OCPs.
- Synthesis of findings related to cellular functions and interactions.
- Analysis of roles in bone remodeling, stem cell regulation, and immune responses.
Main Results:
- Osteoclasts and OCPs regulate osteoblast precursor differentiation.
- They influence hematopoietic stem cell mobilization into the bloodstream.
- These cells are involved in immune responses and cytokine secretion affecting bone homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Osteoclasts and OCPs possess functions beyond bone resorption.
- These new roles are critical in osteoimmunology and inflammatory bone diseases.
- Understanding these functions opens new avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Related Concept Videos
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.
01:30Bone Cells and Tissue
Bones contain a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of organic and inorganic components. Although bone cells compose only a small amount of the bone volume, they are crucial to its function. Four types of cells are found within the bone tissue— osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteogenic cells, and osteoclasts.
Osteoblasts and Osteocytes
The osteoblast is the bone cell responsible for forming new bone tissue. It is found in the growing portions of bone, including the periosteum and...
Osteoblasts and Osteocytes
The osteoblast is the bone cell responsible for forming new bone tissue. It is found in the growing portions of bone, including the periosteum and...
01:23Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue
Bone tissue forms the internal skeleton of vertebrate animals, providing structure to the body.
Bone Matrix
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...
Bone Matrix
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...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:22The Functions of the Skeletal System
The most apparent functions of the skeletal system are support, protection, and movement. However, bone tissue also performs several other critical metabolic functions. For one, the bone matrix acts as a reservoir for a number of minerals important to the functioning of the body, especially calcium and phosphorus. These minerals, present in the bone tissue, can be released back into the bloodstream when required. Calcium ions, for example, are essential for muscle contractions and controlling...