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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...

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Skeleton 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.

The Parathyroid Glands

The 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...

Bone Remodeling

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.

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...

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Calcium and phosphate are essential electrolytes in the human body, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. Around 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton and teeth, forming a crystal lattice of mineral salts in combination with phosphates. Calcium plays crucial roles in various bodily functions such as blood clotting, neurotransmitter release, muscle tone maintenance, and nervous and muscle tissue excitability.
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily regulated...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells

Published on: May 4, 2018

Effects of PTH on osteocyte function.

Teresita Bellido¹, Vaibhav Saini, Paola Divieti Pajevic

¹Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. tbellido@iupui.edu

|September 29, 2012

Summary

Osteocytes, bone cells within the skeleton, are key regulators of bone homeostasis. Recent advances reveal their crucial role in responding to stimuli and coordinating bone cell activity, paving the way for new bone disease therapies.

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Application of Retinoic Acid to Obtain Osteocytes Cultures from Primary Mouse Osteoblasts

Application of Retinoic Acid to Obtain Osteocytes Cultures from Primary Mouse Osteoblasts

Published on: May 13, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells

Published on: May 4, 2018

Application of Retinoic Acid to Obtain Osteocytes Cultures from Primary Mouse Osteoblasts

Application of Retinoic Acid to Obtain Osteocytes Cultures from Primary Mouse Osteoblasts

Published on: May 13, 2014

Area of Science:

Skeletal Biology
Cellular Endocrinology
Bone Physiology

Background:

Osteocytes, embedded within the bone matrix, are strategically positioned to sense mechanical and hormonal cues.
Historically, understanding osteocyte function was limited by a lack of experimental tools.
Recent technological advancements have significantly improved our ability to study osteocytes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent critical advances in understanding osteocyte function and skeletal biology.
To highlight the significance of osteocytes in regulating bone homeostasis.
To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting osteocytes for bone diseases.

Main Methods:

Development of osteocytic cell lines for in vitro studies.
Genetic engineering of mice using promoter fragments for targeted gene expression in osteocytes (gain/loss of function studies).
Investigation of sclerostin (Sost) expression and regulation, particularly by parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Main Results:

Osteocytic cell lines provide insights into osteocyte-specific biology.
Genetic models reveal the roles of specific genes in osteocyte function.
Osteocytes are identified as primary sites of sclerostin expression, a key inhibitor of bone formation.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) inhibits sclerostin expression, indicating osteocytes are critical targets of PTH action.

Conclusions:

Osteocytes are central regulators of bone homeostasis, coordinating osteoblast and osteoclast activity.
Advances in experimental approaches have elucidated the complex functions of osteocytes.
Targeting osteocytes and their signaling pathways holds promise for novel therapeutic strategies for skeletal diseases.