Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

05:25
Using Inducible Osteoblastic Lineage-Specific Stat3 Knockout Mice to Study Alveolar Bone Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Published on: July 21, 2023
General analysis of mathematical models for bone remodeling.
Martin Zumsande1, Dirk Stiefs, Stefan Siegmund
1Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany. zumsande@mpipks-dresden.mpg.de
Bone
|December 28, 2010
Summary
Osteoblast precursors significantly regulate bone remodeling dynamics. Models suggest natural bone states are near critical transitions, potentially explaining Paget
Area of Science:
- * Mathematical modeling
- * Bone biology
- * Systems biology
Background:
- * Bone remodeling involves a dynamic balance between osteoblasts (bone formation) and osteoclasts (bone resorption).
- * Dysregulation of this balance can lead to skeletal diseases.
- * Understanding the regulatory mechanisms is crucial for therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To systematically analyze a broad range of bone remodeling models using generalized modeling.
- * To identify key cellular components and dynamical regimes governing bone remodeling.
- * To explore the relationship between model dynamics and skeletal disease pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- * Application of generalized modeling techniques.
- * Systematic analysis of a large class of bone remodeling models.
- * Investigation of model parameter regimes and dynamical stability.
Main Results:
- * Osteoblast precursors are identified as critical regulators in bone remodeling.
- * The biologically relevant parameter regime is found to be near bifurcation lines, indicating critical transitions in dynamics.
- * Proximity to bifurcations allows for adaptation but risks dynamical instability.
Conclusions:
- * Osteoblast precursor activity is a key factor in bone remodeling regulation.
- * Bone remodeling dynamics may naturally operate near critical thresholds, facilitating adaptation.
- * Dynamical transitions near these thresholds could be implicated in the development of Paget's disease.
Related Concept Videos
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.
Bone Remodeling and Repair
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...
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 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...
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...
Bone 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...

