Bone remodeling

Bone remodeling is a lifelong multi-cellular biological process in which mature bone tissue is removed by osteoclasts (bone resorption), followed by the formation of new bone tissue deposited by osteoblasts (ossification). This process plays essential roles in maintaining skeletal integrity, responding to mechanical stress, repairing microdamage, and regulating plasma calcium and phosphate concentrations. The remodeling cycle involves close coordination among bone cells—osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes—within the so-called basic multicellular unit (BMU). Imbalances in bone remodeling activity contribute to diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and other metabolic bone disorders. Bone remodeling is regulated both systemically (e.g., parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, sex steroids) and locally (cytokines, growth factors), and therapeutic strategies often target the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms to treat bone-related diseases.

Other names

bone metabolismbone turnover