IBMS BoneKEy | Perspective

Regulation of bone resorption and mineral homeostasis by osteocytes

Paola Divieti Pajevic

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DOI:10.1138/20090363

Abstract

Osteocytes are the most abundant cells in bone, but their relative inaccessibility and (until recently) a lack of good in vitro and in vivo models have impeded progress in understanding their functional roles. Compelling evidence points to a mechanosensory function whereby osteocytes regulate bone modeling and remodeling in response to shear or strain forces, but their possible role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis is less clear. Moreover, recent work indicates that the ablation of osteocytes leads to the development of osteoporosis, suggesting that these cells are involved in normal bone development and/or remodeling. Several paracrine and endocrine factors, notably parathyroid hormone (PTH), prostaglandins, glucocorticoids and estrogen, have emerged as potential regulators of osteocyte function(s) and/or survival; furthermore, osteocytes synthesize and/or secrete proteins, such as FGF23, PHEX, MEPE and DMP1, that are of critical importance for the regulation of phosphorous homeostasis. As our understanding of these cells expands, it has become clear that they play a critical role in regulating and maintaining normal skeletal and mineral homeostasis. This Perspective reviews osteocyte function(s) and the role of osteocytes in bone remodeling and mineral homeostasis.

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