From Stem Cells to Bone-Forming Cells

Abstract

Bone formation starts near the end of the embryonic stage of development and continues throughout life during bone modeling and growth, remodeling, and when needed, regeneration. Bone-forming cells, traditionally termed osteoblasts, produce, assemble, and control the mineralization of the type I collagen-enriched bone matrix while participating in the regulation of other cell processes, such as osteoclastogenesis, and metabolic activities, such as phosphate homeostasis. Osteoblasts are generated by different cohorts of skeletal stem cells that arise from different embryonic specifications, which operate in the pre-natal and/or adult skeleton under the control of multiple regulators. In this review, we briefly define the cellular identity and function of osteoblasts and discuss the main populations of osteoprogenitor cells identified to date. We also provide examples of long-known and recently recognized regulatory pathways and mechanisms involved in the specification of the osteogenic lineage, as assessed by studies on mice models and human genetic skeletal diseases.

Neuronal Induction of Bone‐Fat Imbalance through Osteocyte Neuropeptide Y

“…[ 9 , 11 , 25 , 40 ] Nevertheless, Dmp1‐Cre can inevitably target a minority of osteoblasts that express DMP1. Mature osteoblasts and bone lining cells (derived from mature osteoblasts and located on the BS) [ 41 ] will also be targeted by Dmp1‐Cre due to their DMP1 expression. In our study, we did not find and use a perfect Cre model that only targets osteocytes.…”

The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in treating osteoporosis

“…In recent years, the stem cell therapy for OP has been reported to reduce bone loss and decrease the patient’s vulnerability to fractures [ 12 ]. Stem cells, derived from embryos, fetuses or adults with unlimited self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation ability under specific conditions, can be classified into totipotent SCs (TSCs), pluripotent SCs (PSCs) and unipotent SCs (USCs) according to their differentiating potential [ 13 ]. As pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show relatively high versatility and differentiate into multipotent bone, cartilage and adipose tissue cells; these cells have become the most appropriate source for stem cell-based therapy [ 14 ].…”

Next Generation Bone Marrow Adiposity Researchers: Report From the 1st BMAS Summer School 2021

“…The development of the “yellow marrow” (to distinguish from the hematopoietic “red marrow”) is a complex phenomenon tightly regulated by multiple genetic, developmental, and functional factors ( 2 ). Ex vivo transplantation studies have revealed a common progenitor for both BMAds and osteogenic cells that resides in the bone marrow stromal compartment ( 21 – 24 ). The fate choice of this common progenitor plays a crucial role in bone physiology and health.…”