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Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

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 bone...

Hormones and Bone Tissue

Hormones and Bone Tissue

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...

Bone Disorders

Bone Disorders

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...

Bone Remodeling

Bone Remodeling

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.

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.

The Bone Matrix

The Bone Matrix

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 acid or...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Tension-Free Weight-Bearing Model of Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head in Rats

Tension-Free Weight-Bearing Model of Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head in Rats

Published on: September 27, 2024

Hypergravity reduces F-actin accumulation in osteoclasts, with attenuated bone resorption.

Natsuhiro Takahashi^1,2,3, Akihiko Fujita^1,2,4, Yuki Azetsu^1,2

¹Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Showa Medical University, ‌‌1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

|June 16, 2026

Summary

Astronauts experience bone loss due to microgravity. This study shows that osteoclasts, bone-resorbing cells, are sensitive to altered gravity, with hypergravity rapidly impairing their function and reducing bone resorption.

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

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

Published on: June 16, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Tension-Free Weight-Bearing Model of Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head in Rats

Tension-Free Weight-Bearing Model of Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head in Rats

Published on: September 27, 2024

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

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

Published on: June 16, 2022

Area of Science:

Skeletal Biology
Cellular Mechanobiology
Spaceflight Physiology

Background:

Spaceflight induces bone loss, highlighting skeletal homeostasis sensitivity to gravity.
Osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) may sense and respond to mechanical forces, including gravity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate osteoclast sensitivity to gravity-generated mechanical loading.
To elucidate the cellular mechanisms by which osteoclasts respond to hypergravity.

Main Methods:

Osteoclasts derived from mouse bone marrow were exposed to hypergravity (3G, 5G, 30G) using centrifuge systems.
Assessed cytoskeletal organization (F-actin, tubulin, vinculin) and resorptive function (TRAP staining, dentin pit assays).
Performed quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis after 5G hypergravity exposure.

Main Results:

Hypergravity rapidly compromised F-actin ring integrity and promoted nuclear repositioning.
Structural changes correlated with attenuated bone resorption pit formation.
Phosphoproteomic analysis revealed coordinated, gravity-dependent phosphorylation changes in key cellular pathways.

Conclusions:

Osteoclasts are sensitive to mechanical loading from gravity.
Hypergravity rapidly alters osteoclast cytoskeleton and signaling networks, reducing bone resorption.
Findings offer mechanistic insights into skeletal adaptation during spaceflight and altered loading conditions.