Intracellular calcium signaling in osteocytes:A mechano-transduction-mechano paradigm

Osteocytes in vivo are embedded in the mineralized extracellular bone matrix,where their cell bodies reside in the lacunae and are interconnected to neighboring osteocytes through numerous intercellular processes.The 3-dimensional（3D）osteocyte network positioning and ability to communicate with other bone cells make osteocytes ideal mechanosensors of bone.Thus the role of osteocyte network and intercellular communication between osteocytes in response to mechanical stimulation may clarify the mechanisms behind normal bone adaptation to mechanical loading.We have been using intracellular calcium([Ca2+]i)as a ubiquitous real-time signaling indicator for studying mechanotransduction in osteocytic network

Osteocytes in vivo are embedded in the mineralized extracellular bone matrix,where their cell bodies reside in the lacunae and are interconnected to neighboring osteocytes through numerous intercellular processes.The 3-dimensional（3D）osteocyte network positioning and ability to communicate with other bone cells make osteocytes ideal mechanosensors of bone.Thus the role of osteocyte network and intercellular communication between osteocytes in response to mechanical stimulation may clarify the mechanisms behind normal bone adaptation to mechanical loading.We have been using intracellular calcium([Ca2+]i)as a ubiquitous real-time signaling indicator for studying mechanotransduction in osteocytic network and