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Updated: Jul 11, 2025
A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published on: June 8, 2014
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Osteoporosis
Ivan V Zhivodernikov1, Tatiana V Kirichenko1, Yuliya V Markina1
1Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology of Cardiovascular System, Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
Osteoporosis is a widespread systemic disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and an imbalance of the microarchitecture of bone tissue. Experimental and clinical studies devoted to investigating the main pathogenetic mechanisms of osteoporosis revealed the important role of estrogen deficiency, inflammation, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and epigenetic factors in the development of bone resorption due to osteoclastogenesis, and decreased mineralization of bone tissue and bone formation due to reduced function of osteoblasts caused by apoptosis and age-depended differentiation of osteoblast precursors into adipocytes. The current review was conducted to describe the basic mechanisms of the development of osteoporosis at molecular and cellular levels and to elucidate the most promising therapeutic strategies of pathogenetic therapy of osteoporosis based on articles cited in PubMed up to September 2023.
Insights
Osteoporosis involves decreased bone mass and altered microarchitecture. Key factors include estrogen deficiency, inflammation, and cellular changes, impacting bone cells and leading to resorption and reduced formation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Cell Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Osteoporosis is a systemic disease marked by reduced bone mass and impaired bone microarchitecture.
- Pathogenesis involves estrogen deficiency, inflammation, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and epigenetic factors.
- These factors contribute to increased osteoclast activity and decreased osteoblast function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms driving osteoporosis development.
- To identify and discuss promising pathogenetic therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of articles published up to September 2023.
- Analysis of experimental and clinical studies on osteoporosis pathogenesis.
- Synthesis of information on molecular and cellular mechanisms and therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Detailed description of osteoporosis mechanisms including osteoclastogenesis and osteoblast dysfunction.
- Highlighting the role of apoptosis and adipogenic differentiation of osteoblast precursors.
- Identification of key molecular and cellular pathways implicated in bone loss.
Conclusions:
- Understanding osteoporosis mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Pathogenetic therapies targeting molecular and cellular pathways offer promising strategies for osteoporosis management.
- Further research into these mechanisms can lead to novel therapeutic interventions.
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