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

4.8K
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...
4.8K
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

41.1K
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.
41.1K
Bone Cells and Tissue01:30

Bone Cells and Tissue

12.1K
Bones contain a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of organic and inorganic components. Although bone cells compose only a small amount of the bone volume, they are crucial to its function. Four types of cells are found within the bone tissue— osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteogenic cells, and osteoclasts.
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...
12.1K
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

8.9K
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...
8.9K
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

5.6K
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
5.6K
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

4.2K
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...
4.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Periodontium-derived fibroblasts as a model to evaluate inflammation and pharmacological modulation of osteogenesis and osteoclast formation.

Frontiers in cell and developmental biology·2026
Same author

Return to the unknown normal: transition of team-based learning from a COVID-19 enforced online version to an on-site version.

Frontiers in medicine·2026
Same author

Inflammatory Biomarkers in Irreversible Pulpitis and Pulp Necrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

International dental journal·2026
Same author

Human gingival fibroblast-mediated remodeling of three-dimensional fibrin hydrogels.

Matrix biology plus·2026
Same author

Cell-f identity of biomedical students: from energetic "mitochondrials" to gastronomic "lysosomics".

Frontiers in medicine·2026
Same author

Activin-A has dual roles in osteoclast formation and foreign body giant cell differentiation from human CD14<sup>+</sup> monocytes.

Bone·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow
06:17

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

25.1K

The Foreign Body Giant Cell Cannot Resorb Bone, But Dissolves Hydroxyapatite Like Osteoclasts.

Bas ten Harkel1, Ton Schoenmaker2, Daisy I Picavet3

  • 1Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), MOVE Research Institute, University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Plos One
|October 2, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Foreign body multinucleated giant cells (FBGCs) can dissolve bone minerals, similar to osteoclasts, but cannot degrade the bone matrix. This difference is due to FBGCs lacking a ruffled border and cathepsin K expression.

More Related Videos

Biological Compatibility Profile on Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration
10:28

Biological Compatibility Profile on Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration

Published on: November 16, 2018

13.5K
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

7.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow
06:17

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

25.1K
Biological Compatibility Profile on Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration
10:28

Biological Compatibility Profile on Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration

Published on: November 16, 2018

13.5K
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

7.7K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Foreign body multinucleated giant cells (FBGCs) and osteoclasts share myeloid precursors and multinuclearity.
  • Osteoclasts resorb bone, while FBGCs form on foreign materials or pathologically.
  • The bone resorption capacity of FBGCs remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the bone resorption capabilities of FBGCs and osteoclasts.
  • To analyze the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying mineral dissolution and matrix degradation by these cell types.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro differentiation of FBGCs and osteoclasts from CD14+ monocytes.
  • Culture of cells on bovine bone slices and hydroxyapatite coatings.
  • Analysis of bone resorption, actin rings, ruffled border, and gene expression (e.g., cathepsin K, v-ATPase).

Main Results:

  • FBGCs and osteoclasts formed multinucleated cells on bone, with FBGCs being larger and having more nuclei.
  • FBGCs dissolved bone mineral but did not resorb the organic matrix.
  • FBGCs expressed osteoclast-associated cytoskeletal features (actin rings) but lacked a ruffled border and cathepsin K expression.

Conclusions:

  • FBGCs can dissolve the mineral component of bone, similar to osteoclasts.
  • FBGCs are unable to degrade the organic bone matrix, distinguishing them from osteoclasts.
  • The mineral dissolution by FBGCs is dependent on vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (v-ATPase) activity.