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Identification of apoptotic changes in osteocytes in normal and pathological human bone
B S Noble1, H Stevens, N Loveridge
1Cambridge University Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, UK.
Bone
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in osteocytes (bone cells) is linked to bone remodeling. This study found evidence of osteocyte apoptosis in pediatric and pathological bone, suggesting a role in bone turnover.
Area of Science:
- Bone Biology
- Cellular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Osteocytes are hypothesized to regulate bone remodeling.
- The role of osteocyte apoptosis in bone modeling and remodeling is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate evidence of osteocyte apoptosis in human bone.
- To compare apoptosis levels in adult, pediatric, and pathological bone.
- To explore the functional role of osteocyte apoptosis in bone turnover.
Main Methods:
- Agarose gel electrophoresis to detect DNA fragmentation (DNA ladders).
- Nick translation (NT) technique to visualize DNA fragmentation in situ.
- Light and transmission electron microscopy to observe apoptotic morphology.
Main Results:
- Adult bone showed minimal evidence of osteocyte apoptosis.
- Pediatric calvaria, heterotopic bone, and osteophytes exhibited significant DNA laddering and in situ DNA fragmentation.
- Electron microscopy confirmed apoptotic morphology in infant osteocytes.
Conclusions:
- Osteocyte apoptosis is present in human bone with high turnover rates.
- Apoptotic changes in osteocytes may correlate with bone modeling and remodeling activity.
- The non-uniform distribution of apoptotic cells suggests a functional role in bone turnover.