title: [The biological function of osteocytes].
abstract: Osteocytes are the most abundant and longest-surviving cells in bone tissue. Through cell synapses, osteocytes keep in contact with each other and with other types of cells on bone matrix surface, constituting a dynamic and active cell regulation network in bone homeostasis. Osteocytes can directly sense mechanical stimulus, translate it into biochemical signals and send to other cells. In addition, osteocytes can mediate bone remodeling by secreting a variety of cytokines. In summary, it is indicated that osteocytes play a crucial role in skeletal mechanotransduction, and they also act as the major regulator responsible for skeletal metabolic balance and microenvironment homeostasis. The integrated network of osteocytes is essential to maintain the normal function of bone tissue.
authors: Huan
authors: H
authors: Zeng
authors: Ding
authors: D
authors: Bai
authors: Xiang-Long
authors: XL
authors: Han
mesh_terms: D016723:Bone Remodeling; D001842:Bone and Bones; D006706:Homeostasis; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D010011:Osteocytes