FBS Colloquia No.315Laboratory of Immunology and Cell Biology

Cell communication between osteoclasts and osteocytes via cell-component transfer

Osteocytes are embedded within the bone matrix, form networks, transport various substances, and are thought to communicate with osteoblasts and osteoclasts on the bone surface. Though intercellular communication is known to occur through direct cell-to-cell contact and extracellular secretion, it remains unclear how osteocytes inside the bone communicate with osteoclasts present on the endosteum in vivo. In this study, we visualized the direct cell communication between osteocytes and osteoclasts based on the in vivo bone imaging technology that our laboratory has developed. As a result, we revealed that osteocytes and osteoclasts communicated via cell-component transfer; a phenomenon that exchanges intracellular components and cell membranes. In this seminar, we will show the actual mode of intercellular communication between osteocytes and osteoclasts in vivo and discuss its mechanism and implication.