[Bone and Calcium Research Update 2015. Regulation of bone remodeling by osteocytes]

Bone is constantly renewed by the balanced action of bone formation and bone resorption both of which mainly occur at the bone surface. This restructuring process called "bone remodeling" is important not only for normal bone mass and strength, but also for mineral homeostasis. An imbalance of bone remodeling is often linked to various bone diseases. During bone remodeling, resorption by osteoclasts precedes bone formation by osteoblasts. Based on the osteocyte location within the bone matrix and the cellular morphology, it is proposed that osteocytes potentially contribute to the controls of bone remodeling by sensing mechanical stress and hormones. Furthermore, bone has been traditionally regarded as a part of the skeletal and locomotor system, but recent studies suggest that osteocytes regulate systemic biological functions based on the inseparable link between bone and other systems.