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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 Remodeling

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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.

Bone Cells and Tissue

Bone Cells and Tissue

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.
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The osteoblast is the bone cell responsible for forming new bone tissue. It is found in the growing portions of bone, including the...

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 23, 2026

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro

Published on: June 16, 2022

The Multifaceted Osteoclast; Far and Beyond Bone Resorption.

Hicham Drissi¹, Archana Sanjay¹

¹University of Connecticut Health Center, Orthopaedics Surgery, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington 06034, Connecticut.

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry

|March 29, 2016

Summary

Osteoclasts, traditionally known for bone resorption, also regulate bone formation and blood vessel growth. New research explores how these cells and their precursors influence bone development through novel mechanisms.

Keywords:

ANGIOGENESIS BONE REMODELING CLASTOKINE OSTEOCLASTS PERIOSTEUM

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 23, 2026

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro

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Published on: June 16, 2022

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

Differentiation and Characterization of Osteoclasts from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Differentiation and Characterization of Osteoclasts from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: March 22, 2024

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Bone Biology
Physiology

Background:

Osteoclasts are primarily known for bone resorption, crucial for remodeling and pathological osteolysis.
Recent findings suggest osteoclasts also play roles in regulating bone formation and angiogenesis.
The concept of 'clastokines' influencing osteogenesis emerged, prompting further investigation into osteoclast mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To review emerging evidence on novel functions of osteoclasts.
To discuss the mechanisms by which osteoclasts control bone formation.
To explore the potential roles of osteoclast precursors in bone development.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent advances in osteoclast biology.
Synthesis of current understanding regarding clastokines and osteogenesis.
Discussion of proposed paradigms involving osteoclast precursors and angiogenesis.

Main Results:

Osteoclasts exhibit previously unrecognized roles in modulating bone formation.
Evidence supports the existence of clastokines that regulate osteogenesis.
Osteoclast precursors may also influence bone formation, potentially via enhanced angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

Osteoclasts are multifunctional cells involved in both bone resorption and formation.
Novel mechanisms, including clastokines and precursor cell activity, are key to osteoclast-mediated bone regulation.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of osteoclast precursors in bone development.