Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
07:03
A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro
Published on: June 16, 2022
The P2Y(6) receptor stimulates bone resorption by osteoclasts
Isabel R Orriss1, Ning Wang, Geoffrey Burnstock
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom. i.orriss@ucl.ac.uk
Endocrinology
|August 11, 2011
Summary
Extracellular UDP, via P2Y(6) receptors, promotes osteoclast formation and activity, crucial for bone remodeling. P2Y(6) receptor deficiency in mice leads to increased bone mass, indicating its regulatory role in bone cell function.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology
- Cell signaling
- Extracellular nucleotide metabolism
Background:
- Extracellular nucleotides and P2 receptors are implicated in bone remodeling.
- The specific role of the P2Y(6) receptor in osteoclast and osteoblast function remains largely undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the P2Y(6) receptor in bone remodeling.
- To determine the impact of extracellular UDP on osteoclast formation and activity.
- To assess the in vivo role of the P2Y(6) receptor in bone metabolism.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using osteoclast precursors and mature osteoclasts.
- Assessment of osteoclast formation and resorptive activity.
- In vivo studies using P2Y(6) receptor-deficient (P2Y(6)R(-/-)) mice.
- Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) analyses.
- Histomorphometric analysis of bone structure.
Main Results:
- Extracellular UDP stimulates osteoclast formation and enhances resorptive activity via P2Y(6) receptors.
- Osteoclasts from P2Y(6)R(-/-) mice exhibited impaired function in vitro.
- P2Y(6)R(-/-) mice displayed increased bone mineral content, cortical bone volume, and cortical thickness.
- Reduced osteoclast surface coverage on endocortical and trabecular bone surfaces in P2Y(6)R(-/-) mice.
- Trabecular bone parameters were not significantly affected.
Conclusions:
- The P2Y(6) receptor, activated by extracellular UDP, plays a significant role in regulating osteoclast function.
- P2Y(6) receptor signaling is critical for normal bone remodeling processes in vivo.
- Targeting the P2Y(6) receptor may offer therapeutic potential for bone metabolic disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Hormones 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...
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...
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.
01:21Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
00:59The Parathyroid Glands
The two pairs of parathyroid glands embedded within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland are restricted by a dense capsule around them. These glands comprise two distinct cell populations—parathyroid oxyphil and parathyroid principal cells- pivotal in calcium homeostasis.
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...
01:29Bone 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...