Osteoblasts in osteoporosis: past, emerging, and future anabolic targets

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow
06:17

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

Pierre J Marie1, Moustapha Kassem

  • 1Laboratory of Osteoblast Biology and Pathology, INSERM, U606, Hospital Lariboisiere, 2 Rue Ambroise Pare, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France. pierre.marie@inserm.fr

European Journal of Endocrinology
|May 6, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Promoting bone formation is key to combating age-related bone loss and fragility. New anabolic therapies targeting osteoblast function offer promising strategies for improving bone strength in aging populations.

Area of Science:

  • Bone biology and aging
  • Osteoporosis therapeutics

Background:

  • Age-related bone loss involves decreased bone formation and increased resorption, leading to fragility.
  • Current treatments focus on inhibiting bone resorption, but promoting bone formation is a critical unmet need.
  • Developing anabolic drugs to enhance osteoblastogenesis and bone matrix apposition is essential for preventing age-related bone deterioration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current therapeutics that activate bone formation.
  • To discuss anabolic molecules targeting signaling pathways crucial for osteoblastogenesis.
  • To explore novel strategies for treating age-related bone loss and osteoporosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of full-text articles from Medline (1990-2010).
  • Focus on therapeutic molecules and signaling pathways involved in osteoblastogenesis.
  • Analysis of approaches promoting bone matrix apposition.

Main Results:

  • Current therapeutic approaches include intermittent parathyroid hormone and Wnt signaling modulators.
  • Novel strategies targeting osteoblastic cell functions are being developed.
  • These approaches aim to increase osteoblast precursor cells and/or mature osteoblast function.

Conclusions:

  • Therapeutic strategies targeting osteoblastic cell functions show potential for promoting bone formation.
  • These strategies may improve bone strength and reduce fracture risk in the aging population.
  • Further research into anabolic therapies is crucial for managing age-related bone loss and osteoporosis.

More Related Videos

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders11:47

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders

Published on: June 8, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Bone Disorders01:29

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...
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling01:31

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 Remodeling and Repair01:31

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...
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.
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

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...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

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...