Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Author Spotlight: Comparing Alveolar and Long Bone Remodeling to Explore OTM Model Potential
Published on: July 21, 2023
Epigenetics and Bone Remodeling
Ali Husain1, Matlock A Jeffries2,3
1Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
Bone remodeling is a diverse field of study with many direct clinical applications; past studies have implicated epigenetic alterations as key factors of both normal bone tissue development and function and diseases of pathologic bone remodeling. The purpose of this article is to review the most important recent advances that link epigenetic changes to the bone remodeling field.
Recent Findings:
Epigenetics describes three major phenomena: DNA modification via methylation, histone side chain modifications, and short non-coding RNA sequences which work in concert to regulate gene transcription in a heritable fashion. Recent findings include the role of DNA methylation changes of Wnt, RANK/RANKL, and other key signaling pathways, epigenetic regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, and others. Although much work has been done, much is still unknown. Future epigenome-wide studies should focus on extending the tissue coverage, integrating multiple epigenetic analyses with transcriptome data, and working to uncover epigenetic changes linked with early events in aberrant bone remodeling.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
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...
Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...

