title: Biology of Bone Tissue: Structure, Function, and Factors That Influence Bone Cells.
abstract: Bone tissue is continuously remodeled through the concerted actions of bone cells, which include bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts, whereas osteocytes act as mechanosensors and orchestrators of the bone remodeling process. This process is under the control of local (e.g., growth factors and cytokines) and systemic (e.g., calcitonin and estrogens) factors that all together contribute for bone homeostasis. An imbalance between bone resorption and formation can result in bone diseases including osteoporosis. Recently, it has been recognized that, during bone remodeling, there are an intricate communication among bone cells. For instance, the coupling from bone resorption to bone formation is achieved by interaction between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Moreover, osteocytes produce factors that influence osteoblast and osteoclast activities, whereas osteocyte apoptosis is followed by osteoclastic bone resorption. The increasing knowledge about the structure and functions of bone cells contributed to a better understanding of bone biology. It has been suggested that there is a complex communication between bone cells and other organs, indicating the dynamic nature of bone tissue. In this review, we discuss the current data about the structure and functions of bone cells and the factors that influence bone remodeling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Histology and Structural Biology, Federal University of São Paulo, 04023-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rinaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Florencio-Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Histology and Structural Biology, Federal University of São Paulo, 04023-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gisela Rodrigues da Silva
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Sasso
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Dental School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 14801-903 Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Estela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sasso-Cerri
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Histology and Structural Biology, Federal University of São Paulo, 04023-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manuel Jesus
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Dental School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 14801-903 Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Sérgio
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Cerri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship