Research advance in the biological characteristics of osteoclasts / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bone is a connective tissue that continuously modeling and remodeling. The dynamic homeostasis of bone is regulated by the process of osteoblasts synthesizing bone matrix and osteoclasts absorbing bone matrix. Osteoclasts have always been attracting numerous researches for its bone absorption. Along with the rapid development of gene knockout, biomolecular and other technologies, we have gone deeper and further lifting the veil of osteoclasts.OBJECTIVE: To overview the research regarding the molecular mechanisms and regulating factors of osteoclast formation, differentiation and function.METHODS: The first author retrieved PubMed database for the articles concerning molecular mechanisms and regulating factors of osteoclast formation, differentiation and function published from 1980 to 2015 using the keywords of osteoclast, molecular regulation, bone resorption, regulation mechanisms. Subsequently, a systamatice management,summary and analysis was performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 151 literatures were searched, and 29 eligible articles were ultimately enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RANK/RANKL/OPG axis plays a significant role in modulating bone formation and resorption. Understanding the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of osteoclasts is of great significance for exploring osteoarticular diseases, osteogenesis, osteoimmunology, biomaterials and other aspects.