The Central Role of Osteocytes in the Four Adaptive Pathways of Bone's Mechanostat

Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2020 Jul;48(3):140-148. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000225.

Abstract

We review evidence supporting an updated mechanostat model in bone that highlights the central role of osteocytes within bone's four mechanoadaptive pathways: 1) formation modeling and 2) targeted remodeling, which occur with heightened mechanical loading, 3) resorption modeling, and 4) disuse-mediated remodeling, which occur with disuse. These four pathways regulate whole-bone stiffness in response to changing mechanical demands.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Regeneration*
  • Bone Resorption*
  • Cortical Bone / physiology
  • Humans
  • Osteocytes / physiology*
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Weight-Bearing / physiology