Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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.
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...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
The Bone Matrix01:18

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Modified Delphi study - A UK diagnostic radiography standardised clinical assessment tool.

Radiography (London, England : 1995)·2025
Same author

PACAP-PAC1R modulates fear extinction via the ventromedial hypothalamus.

Nature communications·2022
Same author

Surgical treatment of post-infectious hydrocephalus in infants.

Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery·2021
Same author

A comparison of the degradation behaviour of 3D printed PDLGA scaffolds incorporating bioglass or biosilica.

Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications·2021
Same author

Measuring the quality of cancer care in the Barwon South Western region, Victoria, Australia.

International journal for quality in health care : journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care·2020
Same author

Early Supported Discharge for patients with febrile neutropenia - Experience at a large district hospital in the UK.

Acute medicine·2020
Same journal

Peripheral targets for neuropathic pain.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Therapeutic potential of liver X receptor agonist GW3965 in preserving myelin integrity following traumatic brain injury.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

The role of protein arginine methyltransferases in sickle cell-mediated neurovascular impairments in mice.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

β-Cyclodextrin inclusion enhances the pro-resolving effects of the annexin A1 mimetic Ac2-26 in a mouse model of antigen-induced arthritis.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits platelet activation and thrombosis via TREM2: Evidence from mouse models and human studies.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Peripheral κ opioid receptor in pain and inflammation: From molecular signalling and gene expression to drug discovery.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
11:47

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

Cannabinoids and bone: endocannabinoids modulate human osteoclast function in vitro.

L S Whyte1, L Ford, S A Ridge

  • 1Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK. l.whyte@abdn.ac.uk

British Journal of Pharmacology
|June 9, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cannabinoids activate human osteoclasts, influencing bone metabolism. This research explores cannabinoid receptor roles in human bone cells, suggesting therapeutic potential for bone diseases.

More Related Videos

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro
07:03

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

Published on: June 16, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2026

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
11:47

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

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro
07:03

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

Published on: June 16, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Bone Biology
  • Endocannabinoid System
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) are implicated in bone metabolism.
  • Previous research focused on murine bone cells; human cell data is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the effects of cannabinoids on human bone cells in vitro.
  • Determine the role of CB1 and CB2 receptors in human osteoclast function.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative RT-PCR for cannabinoid receptor expression.
  • Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for endocannabinoid levels.
  • Assays for osteoclast formation, polarization, and resorption.

Main Results:

  • Human osteoclasts express both CB1 and CB2 receptors, with CB2 levels higher in monocytes.
  • Osteoclast differentiation altered endocannabinoid levels (increased anandamide).
  • Low concentrations of anandamide and synthetic agonists stimulated osteoclast activity, inhibited by antagonists.

Conclusions:

  • Cannabinoids activate human osteoclasts at low concentrations.
  • Dynamic regulation of CB2 receptor and endocannabinoids occurs during human bone cell differentiation.
  • Modulators of the endocannabinoid system may offer new treatments for human bone diseases.