Bone cells and their role in physiological remodeling

Abstract

Purpose: This work compiles the characteristics of bone cells involved in the physiological bone remodeling.

Methods: A narrative review of the literature was performed.

Results: Remodeling is a different process from modeling. Remodeling allows old or damaged bone tissue to be renewed, ensuring the maintenance of bone fracture resistance, as well as maintaining calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. We present the role of osteoclasts, a multinucleated cell with hematopoietic origin responsible for resorbing bone. The formation of osteoclasts depends on the cytokines macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) and can be blocked by osteoprotegerin. Furthermore, this review highlights the features of osteoblasts, polarized cubic cells of mesenchymal origin that deposit bone and also covers osteocytes and bone lining cells. This review presents the five fundamental phases of bone remodeling and addresses aspects of its regulation through hormones and growth factors.

Conclusions: Knowledge of the current concepts of physiological bone remodeling is necessary for the study of the different pathologies that affect the bone tissue and thus helps in the search for new therapies.

Keywords: Bone; M-CSF; Osteoblast; Osteoclast; Osteocyte; RANKL protein; Remodeling.