The diverse origin of bone ‐forming osteoblasts

AbstractOsteoblasts are the only cells that can give rise to bones in vertebrates. Thus, one of the most important functions of these metabolically active cells is mineralized matrix production. As osteoblasts have a limited lifespan, they must be constantly replenished by pre-osteoblasts, their immediate precursors. As disruption of the regulation of bone-forming osteoblasts results in a variety of bone diseases, a better understanding of the origin of these cells by defining the mechanisms of bone development, remodeling, regeneration is central to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. In recent years, substantial new insights into the origin of osteoblasts – largely owing to rapid technological advances in murine lineage-tracing approaches and other single-cell technologies – have been obtained. Collectively, these findings indicate that osteoblasts involved in bone formation under various physiological, pathological, and therapeutic conditions ca n be obtained from numerous sources. The origins of osteoblasts include – but are not limited to – chondrocytes in the growth plate, stromal cells in the bone marrow, quiescent bone-lining cells on the bone surface, and specialized fibroblasts in the craniofacial structures, such as sutures and periodontal ligaments. As osteoblasts can be generated from local cellular sources, bones can flexibly respond to regenerative and anabolic cues. However, whether osteoblasts derived from different cellular sources have ...

Source: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research - July 3, 2021 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Toshihide Mizoguchi, Noriaki Ono Tags: Review Source Type: research