Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts 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...

Bone Cells and Tissue

Bone 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...

The Bone Matrix

The Bone Matrix

Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

Role 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...

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...

Hormones and Bone Tissue

Hormones 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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Disease progression & treatment need in sub-genotype C4 hepatitis B infection: a retrospective cohort study in the Northern Territory, Australia.

BMC infectious diseases·2025

Same author

Evaluating a novel model of hepatitis B care, Hep B PAST, in the Northern Territory of Australia: results from a prospective, population-based study.

The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific·2024

Same author

Feasibility evaluation of two novel systems for the automated preparation and extended storage of DMSO cryopreserved platelets.

Transfusion·2023

Same author

Cryopreservation of rare pediatric red blood cells for support following bone marrow transplant.

Transfusion·2022

Same author

Epidemiological study of multiple sclerosis in the Illawarra region.

Internal medicine journal·2022

Same author

Erratum to 'Cathepsin K inhibitors prevent matrix-derived growth factor degradation by human osteoclasts'.

Bone·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro

Published on: June 16, 2022

Bone is not essential for osteoclast activation.

Karen Fuller¹, Jade L Ross, Kinga A Szewczyk

¹Division of Basic Medical Sciences, St George's, University of London, London, UK.

|September 24, 2010

Summary

Alpha(v)beta(3) ligands are sufficient to induce bone resorptive behavior in osteoclasts. This suggests bone recognition relies on ligand affinity, not mineral properties, challenging previous assumptions about bone resorption mechanisms.

More Related Videos

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro

Published on: June 16, 2022

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Skeletal Biology

Background:

The mechanism by which bone triggers resorptive activity in osteoclasts remains unknown.
Alpha(v)beta(3) ligands are implicated in bone resorption, but their sufficiency and role beyond adhesion/migration are unclear.
Bone mineral is widely considered essential for osteoclast recognition of bone.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if alpha(v)beta(3) ligands are sufficient to induce osteoclast resorptive behavior.
To determine the role of alpha(v)beta(3) ligands in osteoclast-bone interaction.
To elucidate the mechanism of bone recognition by osteoclasts.

Main Methods:

Utilized vitronectin and fibronectin-coated coverslips to culture murine osteoclasts.
Employed scanning and transmission electron microscopy to visualize cell-substrate interactions.
Assessed osteoclast secretion of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and formation of podosome belts.
Investigated the effect of cathepsin inhibitor E64 on osteoclast activity.

Main Results:

Vitronectin, but not fibronectin, induced osteoclasts to secrete tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and form podosome belts.
Osteoclasts on vitronectin exhibited ruffled borders and clear zones, characteristic of resorbing cells.
Novel microscopy revealed substrate-degrading behavior and resorption-like trails on vitronectin.
Bone mineral required vitronectin coating to induce actin rings and surface excavation.

Conclusions:

Alpha(v)beta(3) ligands are both necessary and sufficient for inducing osteoclast resorptive behavior.
Bone recognition by osteoclasts is mediated by affinity for alpha(v)beta(3) ligands, not mechanical or mineral properties.
This finding challenges the concept of a specific 'mineral receptor' in bone resorption.