Abstract
Purpose of review: Bone formation and growth occur through both intramembranous and endochondral ossification. The mechanical environment can regulate osteoblast differentiation and activity during intramembranous ossification. Likewise, the mechanical environment of cartilage can influence chondrocyte mitosis, extracellular matrix production, and hypertrophy, as well as subsequent mineralization and vascularization during endochondral growth and ossification. This review examines recent research related to the mechano-regulation in these two processes of bone formation. Recent findings: Various genes and biological molecules such as Wnt-1-induced secreted protein 1, Sonic Hedgehog, calvaria-mechanical-force microarray clone 608, RhoA, runt-related transcription factor 2/core binding factor 1 and others regulate osteoblast and chondrocyte actions and are thus crucial in bone formation and growth. Recent research has provided new information on how the expression and suppression of genes are regulated mechanically. Genetic differences among individuals strongly determine responsivity to mechanics. Analysis of bone architecture and quality of different inbred strains of mice subjected to unloading clearly illustrate the important effects of genetics on bone growth and formation. Mechanical factors leading to vascular invasion, such as exercise-induced vascular endothelial growth factor signaling, are important since angiogenesis is necessary for osteogenesis. Computational models have been developed as well to relate the transduction of large-scale mechanics to the cellular level. Summary: Several mechano-sensitive genes affecting the activity of osteoblasts in intramembranous ossification and the activity of chondrocytes in endochondral ossification have been studied. Quantification of factors affecting these genes and their effects will lead to a greater understanding of how mechanics affects bone growth and formation.
Published Version
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