Histology, Osteoprogenitor Cells

Excerpt

Osteoprogenitor cells, also known as osteogenic cells, are stem cells in the bone that play a prodigal role in bone repair and growth. These cells are the precursors to the more specialized bone cells (osteocytes and osteoblasts) and reside in the bone marrow. Osteoprogenitor cells originate from infant mesenchymal cells and turn into spindle cells at the surface of matured bones. In developing bones, they appear more frequently and activate multifunctional stages to remodel the bones. The body loses the ability to synthesize or utilize more osteoprogenitor cells with age. Dysfunction of osteoprogenitor cells may delay ossification and lead to a spectrum of diseases such as dwarfism and Kashin-Beck disease.