[Osteoclasts and alphavbeta3 integrin].
Osteoclasts are terminally differentiated multinucleated cells which play important roles in not only physiological but also pathophysiological bone resorption. Osteoclastic bone resorption can be divided into several processes; 1) Proliferation of osteoclast precursors on bone surfaces; 2) Differentiation of the precursors into mononuclear osteoclasts; 3) Multinucleation; 4) Adhesion to bone surfaces and cytoskeletal organization (activation); 5) Expanding resorption lacunae by cell migration; 6) Apoptosis. alphavbeta3 integrins, heterodimeric adhesion receptors, are involved in these steps. In this chapter, we discuss this multifunctional molecule from the viewpoint of osteoclasts.
Nakamura
Ichiro
I
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yugawara kosei-nenkin Hosipital.