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Bone Tissue and Its Mechanical Regulation of Remodeling

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Osteoporotic Fracture and Systemic Skeletal Disorders

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Abstract

Exercise is effective in promoting bone health because skeletal cells are highly mechanosensitive. The bone cell population can sense and respond to mechanical perturbations induced by exercise, and generate signals that ultimately result in a more mechanically competent skeleton. A number of factors affect bone tissue’s ability to respond appropriately to exercise/loading. These are important considerations in a clinical context, where the positive effects of mechanotransduction can be harnessed to improve outcomes and prevent future fractures. Recovery periods and cellular saturation are important factors when designing and implementing exercise sessions, as these phenomena can affect the efficiency of bone gain. Other factors include the cellular effects of aging, and the hormonal milieu, both of which can modify the responsiveness of bone cells to strain stimuli. Many medications can affect the cellular processes associated with mechanical signaling in bone cells. Though not well studied, it is possible that the effects of exercise on the skeleton can be compromised in patients who are prescribed many of these agents, including calcium channel blockers, NSAIDS, and nitric oxide inhibitors. As the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in bone cell mechanotransduction become better defined, new targets for therapeutic intervention will be identified. As these pathways become more thoroughly characterized, it might be possible to trigger the signaling cascades activated by mechanical loading without applying any force to the bone. This would be particularly useful for patients in whom exercise would be beneficial to bone health, but have skeletal properties that would put them at too great a risk for fracture if exercise protocols were introduced.

The present invited review was completed and submitted to the publisher on 20-Sep-19. 

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Summary

The mechanical regulation of bone tissue is a potent mechanism that fine-tunes skeletal size, structure, and strength to meet the demands of everyday use. A greater understanding of the intricacies of mechanical signaling in bone cells will facilitate the use of these inherent mechanisms (e.g., mechanical energy profile, saturation and recovery, biochemical signaling cascades) to be harnessed to improve bone properties, reduce fracture risk, and promote skeletal rehabilitation after injury. As progress is made on the molecular biology of bone cells—particularly osteocytes—it is likely that clues to enhancing the osteogenic effects of exercise will emerge. Each year, more and more compounds targeting a greater breadth of cellular products achieve approval for clinical use; perhaps a small fraction, or some already available, can be repurposed to synergize with exercise to maximize bone health. Only after a more complete understanding of bone cell mechanotransduction will those insights be possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Alexander G. Robling

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  1. Alexander G. Robling
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Correspondence to Alexander G. Robling .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Niigata Bone Science Institute, Niigata Rehabilitation Hospital, Niigata, Japan

    Hideaki E. Takahashi

  2. Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    David B. Burr

  3. Niigata Bone Science Institute, Niigata Rehabilitation Hospital, Niigata, Japan

    Noriaki Yamamoto

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Robling, A.G. (2022). Bone Tissue and Its Mechanical Regulation of Remodeling. In: Takahashi, H.E., Burr, D.B., Yamamoto, N. (eds) Osteoporotic Fracture and Systemic Skeletal Disorders. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5613-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5613-2_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

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