The osteocyte.
Osteocytes are the most numerous cells in mature bone and have the potential to live as long as the organism itself. However, study and subsequent understanding of osteocyte biology has been thwarted by the remote location of the cell in the mineralized matrix. This review is intended to synthesize current understanding of osteocyte biology and to suggest future paths that will promote understanding of this obscure cell and translation of knowledge to disease prophylaxis and management.
Orthopaedic Research Center, The Cleveland Clinic, 44195, Cleveland, OH, USA. tatem@bme.ri.ccf.org
Melissa L
ML
Knothe Tate
Josée R
JR
Adamson
Andrea E
AE
Tami
Thomas W
TW
Bauer
D000818:Animals; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000166:cytology; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*