Osteocyte isolation and culture
PJ Nijweide, A van der Plas, MJ Alblas… - Bone Research …, 2003 - Springer
PJ Nijweide, A van der Plas, MJ Alblas, J Klein-Nulend
Bone Research Protocols, 2003•SpringerOsteocytes are the most abundant cells in bone. Although individual osteocytes are buried
in an isolated position within bone matrix, they remain in contact with one another and with
cells on the bone surface by long cell processes that run via small channels, termed
canaliculi, through the bone matrix. Where the cell processes of two osteocytes meet in a
shared canaliculus, gap junctions provide intracellular contact (1). For a long time
osteocytes were outside the mainstream of bone research. Increasing interest in the …
in an isolated position within bone matrix, they remain in contact with one another and with
cells on the bone surface by long cell processes that run via small channels, termed
canaliculi, through the bone matrix. Where the cell processes of two osteocytes meet in a
shared canaliculus, gap junctions provide intracellular contact (1). For a long time
osteocytes were outside the mainstream of bone research. Increasing interest in the …
Abstract
Osteocytes are the most abundant cells in bone. Although individual osteocytes are buried in an isolated position within bone matrix, they remain in contact with one another and with cells on the bone surface by long cell processes that run via small channels, termed canaliculi, through the bone matrix. Where the cell processes of two osteocytes meet in a shared canaliculus, gap junctions provide intracellular contact (1). For a long time osteocytes were outside the mainstream of bone research. Increasing interest in the mechanoregulation of bone has changed this, and today there is a general consensus that osteocytes play a pivotal role as mechanosensors and effectors in bone (2). Whether osteocytes have other functions remains to be elucidated.
Springer