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Published in: Current Osteoporosis Reports 5/2020

Open Access 01-10-2020 | Bone Defect | Osteocytes (J Delgado-Calle and J Klein-Nulend, Section Editors)

Is There a Governing Role of Osteocytes in Bone Tissue Regeneration?

Authors: Wei Cao, Marco N. Helder, Nathalie Bravenboer, Gang Wu, Jianfeng Jin, Christiaan M. ten Bruggenkate, Jenneke Klein-Nulend, Engelbert A. J. M. Schulten

Published in: Current Osteoporosis Reports | Issue 5/2020

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Bone regeneration plays an important role in contemporary clinical treatment. Bone tissue engineering should result in successful bone regeneration to restore congenital or acquired bone defects in the human skeleton. Osteocytes are thought to have a governing role in bone remodeling by regulating osteoclast and osteoblast activity, and thus bone loss and formation. In this review, we address the so far largely unknown role osteocytes may play in bone tissue regeneration.

Recent Findings

Osteocytes release biochemical signaling molecules involved in bone remodeling such as prostaglandins, nitric oxide, Wnts, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Treatment of mesenchymal stem cells in bone tissue engineering with prostaglandins (e.g., PGE2, PGI2, PGF), nitric oxide, IGF-1, or Wnts (e.g., Wnt3a) improves osteogenesis.

Summary

This review provides an overview of the functions of osteocytes in bone tissue, their interaction with other bone cells, and their role in bone remodeling. We postulate that osteocytes may have a pivotal role in bone regeneration as well, and consequently that the bone regeneration process may be improved effectively and rapidly if osteocytes are optimally used and stimulated.
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Metadata
Title
Is There a Governing Role of Osteocytes in Bone Tissue Regeneration?
Authors
Wei Cao
Marco N. Helder
Nathalie Bravenboer
Gang Wu
Jianfeng Jin
Christiaan M. ten Bruggenkate
Jenneke Klein-Nulend
Engelbert A. J. M. Schulten
Publication date
01-10-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Keyword
Bone Defect
Published in
Current Osteoporosis Reports / Issue 5/2020
Print ISSN: 1544-1873
Electronic ISSN: 1544-2241
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-020-00610-6

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