The osteocyte: A multifunctional cell within the bone

Torres García Denche, Jesús; López-Quiles Martínez, Juan; Hernández Vallejo, Gonzalo; Vega, Jose Antonio; Fernández-Tresguerres Hernández-Gil, Isabel

The osteocyte: A multifunctional cell within the bone

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Osteocyte - Cell within bone.pdf (1.31 MB)

Official URL

https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2019.151422

Publication date

2020

Authors

Torres García Denche, Jesús

López-Quiles Martínez, Juan

Hernández Vallejo, Gonzalo

Vega, Jose Antonio

Fernández-Tresguerres Hernández-Gil, Isabel

Publisher

Elsevier

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URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/92640

Citation

Tresguerres FGF, Torres J, López-Quiles J, Hernández G, Vega JA, Tresguerres IF. The osteocyte: A multifunctional cell within the bone. Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger [Internet]. 1 de enero de 2020 [citado 11 de enero de 2024];227:151422. Disponible en: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0940960219301268.

Abstract

The knowledge of bone biology has largely changed in the last few decades. Osteocytes are multifunc- tional bone cells that are surrounded by mineralized bone matrix and for decades it was considered that they might be relatively inactive cells. However, nowadays it is known that osteocytes are highly active cells which are indispensable for the normal function of the skeleton, playing main roles in several physiological processes, both within and beyond the bone microenvironment. This review highlights and updates the current state of knowledge of the osteocyte and focuses on its roles in bone remodeling and mineral homeostasis, and also reviews its recently discovered endocrine function. Osteocytes secrete sclerostin (a protein that works as a negative regulator of bone mass), and FGF-23, the most important osteocyte-secreted endocrine factor, since it is able to regulate the phosphate metabolism. Moreover, osteocytes can act as mechanosensory cells, transforming the mechanical strain into chemical signal- ing towards the effector cells (osteoblasts and osteoclasts). Therefore, the osteocyte plays an important role in bone biology, specifically in the remodeling process, since it regulates both the osteoblast and osteoclast activity. Finally, the paper discusses the clinical application of the bone biology, updating the new therapies against bone-loss disorders.