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Related Concept Videos

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling01:31

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

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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...
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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.
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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 growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
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The most apparent functions of the skeletal system are support, protection, and movement. However, bone tissue also performs several other critical metabolic functions. For one, the bone matrix acts as a reservoir for a number of minerals important to the functioning of the body, especially calcium and phosphorus. These minerals, present in the bone tissue, can be released back into the bloodstream when required. Calcium ions, for example, are essential for muscle contractions and controlling...
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A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro
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Osteoclasts: Other functions.

Kyung-Hyun Park-Min1, Joseph Lorenzo2

  • 1Arthritis and Tissue Degeneration Program, David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.

Bone
|October 4, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Osteoclasts, crucial for bone health, possess immune functions beyond bone resorption. They also regulate bone formation, impacting bone remodeling in health and disease.

Keywords:
Bone marrow cellsCouplingImmune cellsOsteoblastsOsteoclasts

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Area of Science:

  • Bone Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Osteoclasts are specialized cells responsible for bone resorption, vital for skeletal homeostasis.
  • Dysfunction in osteoclasts contributes to bone diseases such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and osteopetrosis.
  • Beyond resorption, osteoclasts exhibit immune cell properties and play a role in bone remodeling regulation.

Approach:

  • This review synthesizes current research on the multifaceted roles of osteoclasts.
  • It explores their non-resorbing functions, including immune-like activities and interactions with osteoblasts.
  • The article highlights the significance of these functions in physiological and pathological conditions.

Key Points:

  • Osteoclasts are myeloid-derived cells with inherent immune system characteristics.
  • They actively participate in the coupling process, coordinating bone resorption and formation.
  • Non-resorbing functions are critical for maintaining bone health and preventing disease.

Conclusions:

  • Osteoclasts are more than just bone-resorbing cells; they are key regulators of bone remodeling.
  • Understanding their diverse functions is essential for developing therapeutic strategies for bone disorders.
  • Further research into osteoclast biology will illuminate their roles in immunity and skeletal health.