Effects of diabetes on osteocytes

Better understanding of the mechanisms underlying skeletal dysfunction in the context of diabetes is needed to guide the development of therapeutic interventions to reduce the burden of diabetic fractures. Osteocytes, the 'master regulators' of bone remodeling, have emerged as key culprits in the pathogenesis of diabetes-related skeletal fragility.

Both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes cause chronic hyperglycemia that, over time, reduces bone quality and bone formation. In addition to acting as mechanosensors, osteocytes are important regulators of osteoblast and osteoclast activities; however, diabetes leads to osteocyte dysfunction. Indeed, diabetes causes the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products and senescent cells that can affect osteocyte viability and functions via increased receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) signaling or the production of a pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype. These changes may increase osteocyte-derived sclerostin production and decrease the ability of osteocytes to sense mechanical stimuli thereby contributing to poor bone quality in humans with diabetes.

Osteocyte dysfunction exists at the nexus of diabetic skeletal disease. Therefore, interventions targeting the RAGE signaling pathway, senescent cells, and those that inhibit sclerostin or mechanically stimulate osteocytes may alleviate the deleterious effects of diabetes on osteocytes and bone quality.