Heterotopic Ossification: Clinical Features, Basic Researches, and Mechanical Stimulations

Yili Xu; Mei Huang; Wenzhen He; Chen He; Kaixuan Chen; Jing Hou; Min Huang; Yurui Jiao; Ran Liu; Nanyu Zou; Ling Liu; Changjun Li

doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.770931

Heterotopic Ossification: Clinical Features, Basic Researches, and Mechanical Stimulations

Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022 Jan 25:10:770931. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.770931. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Yili Xu¹, Mei Huang¹, Wenzhen He¹, Chen He¹, Kaixuan Chen¹, Jing Hou¹, Min Huang¹, Yurui Jiao¹, Ran Liu¹, Nanyu Zou¹, Ling Liu¹, Changjun Li^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology, Endocrinology Research Center, The Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
² National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (Xiangya Hospital), Changsha, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.

Abstract

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is defined as the occurrence of extraskeletal bone in soft tissue. Although this pathological osteogenesis process involves the participation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts during the formation of bone structures, it differs from normal physiological osteogenesis in many features. In this article, the primary characteristics of heterotopic ossification are reviewed from both clinical and basic research perspectives, with a special highlight on the influence of mechanics on heterotopic ossification, which serves an important role in the prophylaxis and treatment of HO.

Keywords: bone; bone formation; heterotopic ossification; mechanical loading; stem cell fate.

Publication types

Review