Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

A Fluorescent Intravital Imaging Approach to Study Load-Induced Calcium Signaling Dynamics in Mouse Osteocytes
Published on: February 24, 2023
[Hierarchically organized model of interconnected cellular and tissue mechanisms of calcium exchange between bone and
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to propose, on the basis of the results of authors' own research and literature data, the hierarchically organized model of the interrelation of morphological mechanisms with the participation of biochemical bases of Ca2+ exchange between bone and blood. It is shown that osteocytes control the activity of main known mechanism of skeleton architecture remodeling (osteoclast-osteoblast remodeling, modeling, osteocyte remodeling etc.), that is the destruction and formation of mineral matrix component, thus influencing calcium turnover between bone and blood. The hierarchical organization of the mechanisms of this exchange is established. The first level of Ca2+ metabolism corresponds to the borderline between bone and takes place without bone matrix disintegration by paracellular energy-free Ca2+ diffusion from blood to bone and transcellular energy-dependent Ca2+ transfer from bone to blood. At the second level, calcium exchanger takes place at the borderline between between bone matrix and extracellular fluid by osteocyte remodeling during resorption or formation of the matrix of lacunar-canalicular system walls. The third level includes the mechanisms of osteoclast-osteoblast remodeling acting at the borderline between bone and blood. The mass of rapidly exchanging calcium pool was calculated to reach 58,5 g, thus being 11 times higher than previously suggected.
Related Concept Videos
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
The Bone Matrix
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue
Bone Matrix
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a connective tissue that has a large amount of two different types of matrix material. The organic matrix is similar to the matrix material found in other connective tissues, including some amount of collagen and elastic fibers. This gives strength and flexibility to the tissue. The inorganic matrix consists of mineral salts— mostly calcium salts— that give the...
Bone Cells and Tissue
Osteoblasts and Osteocytes
The osteoblast is the bone cell responsible for forming new bone tissue. It is found in the growing portions of bone, including the periosteum and...
Hormones and Bone Tissue
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...

