ObjectiveTo review the osteoclasts (OC) function beyond bone resorption.
MethodsThe related literature on OC function beyond bone resorption was reviewed, analyzed, and summarized.
ResultsOC control the bone formation through releasing of matrix-derived growth factors, bidirectional cell-to-cell signals, and secreting OC-coupling factors, and play an important role in the niche formation, hematopoietic stem cells mobilization, and maintenance of its quantity and function;besides, OCs also regulate angiogenesis.
ConclusionThese discoveries greatly enrich the current knowledge of OC function and open up an all-new research domain. However, the exact regulatory mechanism of OC affecting the hematopoiesis is still lack in-depth understood. Additionally, it remains to be elucidated how OC-coupling factors act on osteoblast lineage differentiation and how OC-induced angiogenesis participates in physiological and pathological processes. Unclosing the underlying mechanisms will facilitate providing scientific therapeutic strategies for treatment of many OC-related diseases.
