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Related Concept Videos

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling01:31

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

3.1K
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 Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

38.4K
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.
38.4K
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

2.8K
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...
2.8K
Bone Cells and Tissue01:30

Bone Cells and Tissue

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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.
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...
4.9K
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

4.0K
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...
4.0K
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

3.8K
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
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...
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Circadian regulator PER1 inhibits osteoclastogenesis by activating inflammatory genes.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2025

Bone Marrow-derived Macrophage Production
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Bone Marrow-derived Macrophage Production

Published on: November 22, 2013

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Macrophages and Bone Remodeling.

Megan M Weivoda1, Elizabeth W Bradley2

  • 1Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : the Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
|January 18, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Macrophages, including osteomacs and osteomorphs, play a crucial role in adult bone remodeling and skeletal mass maintenance. These myeloid cells are increasingly recognized for their functions beyond traditional bone cells.

Keywords:
INFLAMMATORY BONE LOSSOSTEOCLASTOSTEOCLAST FRAGMENTATIONOSTEOMACOSTEOMORPHSOSTEOPOROSIS

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Isolation of Monocyte-Macrophage Lineage Cells from Rat Bones by Secondary Adherence Method
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A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation
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A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation

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Isolation of Monocyte-Macrophage Lineage Cells from Rat Bones by Secondary Adherence Method
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A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation
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Area of Science:

  • Skeletal biology and bone remodeling
  • Cellular and molecular mechanisms of bone homeostasis
  • Immunology of the bone microenvironment

Background:

  • Adult bone remodeling is essential for skeletal integrity, involving coordinated bone resorption and formation.
  • Traditional understanding focuses on osteoclasts and osteoblasts, but emerging evidence highlights other cell types.
  • Macrophages and myeloid lineage cells are increasingly implicated in bone remodeling processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the origin and diverse functions of macrophages within the bone microenvironment.
  • To highlight the roles of tissue-resident macrophages (osteomacs) and osteoclast-derived osteomorphs.
  • To examine the involvement of macrophages in inflammatory bone resorption.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of current literature on macrophage biology in bone.
  • Discussion of cellular origins and differentiation pathways of bone-associated macrophages.
  • Analysis of functional roles in bone resorption and formation, including inflammatory contexts.

Main Results:

  • Macrophages are key players in bone remodeling, contributing to skeletal mass maintenance.
  • Specific macrophage populations, such as osteomacs and osteomorphs, have distinct origins and functions.
  • Macrophages are involved in pathological bone loss during inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophages are integral to bone remodeling, extending beyond their previously understood roles.
  • Understanding osteomacs and osteomorphs offers new insights into skeletal homeostasis and disease.
  • Targeting macrophage functions may present therapeutic strategies for bone disorders.