骨细胞及其功能研究进展

Research progress in the osteocyte and its function

骨细胞(osteocyte)是位于矿化的骨基质中骨的细胞,是骨组织中含量最丰富、分布最广泛的细胞。骨细胞通过细胞突触保持了彼此之间以及骨基质表面的成骨细胞的联系。骨细胞作为骨机械应力的直接感受器,可将机械应力转变为骨形成或骨吸收的信号,并将这些生化信号传递给效应细胞,在骨重建过程中起重要的作用。此外,骨细胞还具有调整体内矿物质平衡作用。对骨细胞的研究,可以为代谢性骨病的治疗探索新途径。

The osteocyte is the cell that lies in the mineralized bone matrix. It is the most abundant and most widely distributed cell in bone tissue. The osteocyte retains the close interaction among themselves and the osteoblast on the surface of bone matrix through the cell synapse. As the direct bone mechanical stress sensing cell, the osteocyte can transfer mechanical stress into bone formation or bone resorption signal, and further send these biochemical signals to the effector cells. Therefore, the osteocyte plays an important role in the bone remodeling process. In addition, the osteoeyte functions to balance the minerals in the body. Therefore, study of the osteocyte may explore new ways for the treatment of metabolic bone diseases.