Journal
RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI
Volume 20, Issue 3, Pages 237-254Publisher
SPRINGER-VERLAG ITALIA SRL
DOI: 10.1007/s12210-009-0051-y
Keywords
Osteocyte; Mechanotransduction; Osteolysis; Wnt/beta-catenin; Sclerostin
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The osteocyte is often considered to be a cell that is hardly active, yet it turns out to have a central role in bone remodeling. It functions as a mechanoreceptor that translates mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals. The expression of PGE2 by loaded osteocytes and the consequent activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway, together with stabilization of beta-catenin, may permit cross talk with the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, the activation of which is increased by the load-dependent reduction of the expression of DKK1 and of sclerostin (Sost, the secretion product of old osteocytes). These signal pathways, as well as TGF-beta and BMP expression, stimulate the differentiation and activity of osteoblasts, reduce their apoptosis, and enhance bone formation. The expressions of MEPE, FGF-23 and DMP-1 further contribute to the osteocytic control of bone metabolism. Periosteocytic osteolysis, if definitively demonstrated, would constitute another fundamental function of osteocytes. A thorough understanding of the osteocyte's activities could open up new strategies in the therapy of metabolic bone diseases.
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