Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling01:31

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

3.9K
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...
3.9K
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

40.2K
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.
40.2K
Bone Cells and Tissue01:30

Bone Cells and Tissue

8.0K
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...
8.0K
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

3.7K
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...
3.7K
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

5.5K
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...
5.5K
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

5.0K
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.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
5.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A deep learning and generative modeling pipeline for mining and engineering alkaline-stsable xylanases.

Bioresource technology·2026
Same author

A receptor-like mechanosensitive protein governs preprophase band positioning for asymmetric cell divisions and SC morphogenesis.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Involvement of tyrosine phosphatase PTPROt in acquired resistance to FGFR inhibitor therapy in colorectal cancer.

Molecular cancer therapeutics·2026
Same author

Camping in urban parks as a public health-oriented therapeutic landscape experience accomplished through self-transformation.

Frontiers in public health·2026
Same author

LF3 exerts anti-osteosarcoma effects through Wnt signaling inhibition-coupled ferroptosis induction via <i>HO-1/ACSL4</i> axis.

Frontiers in oncology·2026
Same author

Engineered haptoglobin β fusion protein targets myoglobin and ameliorates rhabdomyolysis-associated acute kidney injury.

EMBO molecular medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 15, 2026

A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation
09:37

A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation

Published on: March 15, 2018

14.2K

Osteocytes Produces RANKL Via Wnt-TGFβ Signaling Axis for Osteoclastogenesis.

Yujiao Liu1,2, Lizhou Zhao1, Molin Li1

  • 1Laboratory of Skeletal Development and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.

International Journal of Biological Sciences
|October 13, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Osteocytes regulate bone resorption by controlling RANKL expression through the Wnt-TGFβ signaling pathway. This discovery clarifies a key mechanism in bone remodeling and osteoclast differentiation.

Keywords:
OsteocyteRANKLTGFβWnt/β-cateninosteoclastogenesis

More Related Videos

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro
07:03

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro

Published on: June 16, 2022

7.1K
Differentiation of Functional Osteoclasts from Human Peripheral Blood CD14+ Monocytes
11:52

Differentiation of Functional Osteoclasts from Human Peripheral Blood CD14+ Monocytes

Published on: January 27, 2023

4.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 15, 2026

A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation
09:37

A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation

Published on: March 15, 2018

14.2K
A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro
07:03

A Simple Pit Assay Protocol to Visualize and Quantify Osteoclastic Resorption In Vitro

Published on: June 16, 2022

7.1K
Differentiation of Functional Osteoclasts from Human Peripheral Blood CD14+ Monocytes
11:52

Differentiation of Functional Osteoclasts from Human Peripheral Blood CD14+ Monocytes

Published on: January 27, 2023

4.3K

Area of Science:

  • Bone Biology and Metabolism
  • Cell Signaling in Skeletal Tissues
  • Osteocyte-Osteoclast Communication

Background:

  • Osteocytes, derived from osteoblasts, are the primary source of RANKL, a key regulator of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.
  • Wnt/β-catenin signaling in osteocytes was previously identified as a driver of RANKL expression and bone resorption.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms regulating RANKL expression in osteocytes remained largely undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which osteocytes regulate RANKL expression and bone resorption.
  • To investigate the role of TGFβ signaling in osteocyte-mediated regulation of RANKL and osteoclast differentiation.
  • To determine the interplay between Wnt and TGFβ signaling pathways in osteocytes.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and culture of primary mouse osteocytes.
  • Osteocyte transcriptome sequencing to identify associated signaling pathways.
  • In vivo studies using genetically modified mice to assess the role of osteocytic Wnt and TGFβ signaling.
  • Analysis of Smad4 interaction with the RANKL promoter region.

Main Results:

  • Osteocyte transcriptome analysis revealed upregulated TGFβ1/2 expression linked to osteoclast differentiation pathways.
  • Osteocytic Wnt signaling specifically regulates TGFβ signaling, impacting RANKL expression and osteoclast differentiation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
  • Wnt signaling enhances RANKL expression via TGFβ signaling, involving Smad4 binding to the RANKL promoter.
  • Disruption of TGFβ signaling in osteocytes led to impaired osteoclastogenesis and reduced RANKL expression.

Conclusions:

  • Osteocytes mediate bone resorption through a novel Wnt-TGFβ signaling axis.
  • This pathway highlights a critical mechanism for controlling RANKL expression and osteoclast activity.
  • Targeting the osteocytic Wnt-TGFβ pathway offers potential therapeutic strategies for bone diseases.