Download Investigating solute transport in bone: implications on cell-to-cell signaling and

Investigating solute transport in bone: implications on cell-to-cell signaling and
drug delivery
Recent experiments strongly suggest that osteocytes, the most numerous bone cells, play
a more active role in bone adaptation and metabolism than previously thought. These
multi-functioning cells form a sensor network that can detect external mechanical
stimuli. In response, they release soluble agents (e.g., OPG, RANKL, NO, PGE2, and
sclerostin) that can modulate the function of other cell types, such as osteoclastic-targeted
resorption during overuse and disuse and load-induced osteoblastic bone formation.
Solute transport through the mineralized bone matrix is essential for osteocyte survival
and normal function (cell-to-cell signaling). However, solute flows in bone are poorly
understood and inadequately quantified, due to technical difficulties of working with
mineralized matrix. In this talk, I will share with you our new approach to attack this
difficult problem, combining minimally invasive imaging and mathematical modeling.
The implications of these in situ and in vivo measurements will be discussed.