9.1 Introduction Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH–related protein (PTHrP) are major polypeptide factors that regulate skeletal physiology and mineral homeostasis. The appearance of the parathyroid glands during the evolution of…
7.1 Introduction Osteocytes are defined as cells embedded in the mineralized bone matrix and compose over 90%–95% of all bone cells . They are regularly dispersed throughout the mineralized matrix,…
Abbreviations ACVR activin A receptor ALK activin receptor–like kinase AP1 activator protein 1 Bglap bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein BMD bone mineral density BMP bone morphogenetic protein CCN Cyr61, CTGF, Nov CMV…
2.1 Introduction Bone is a vital, dynamic connective tissue whose structure and composition reflect a balance among its major functions: provision of mechanical integrity for locomotion and for protection of…
5.1 Introduction A unique feature of bone is that it contains specialized cells dedicated to its own destruction. These cells, the osteoclasts, are generally regarded as the only cells capable…
6.1 Developmental origin of osteoblasts 6.1.1 Control of osteoblast function 6.1.1.1 Signaling pathways that control bone formation Osteoblasts originate from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that represent the primary cells that…
4.1 Introduction The lineage relationships and kinetics of the cellular components of bone are the focus of this chapter. Tissues in mammals are generally maintained by one of two schemas,…
3.1 Overview The skeletal system consists of 206 bones of strikingly varying shapes, sizes, and functions. More than with any other organ, the specific shapes and sizes of these bones…
1.1 Defining osteoporosis This chapter introduces the topic of osteoporosis from the perspective of the bone. Its purpose is to consider the definition of osteoporosis and to discuss the nature…
