Bone Abstracts

Bisphosphonates (BPs) such as zoledronic acid (ZA) are widely used to treat bone diseases. The use of BPs can lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), but it is not clear why in particular the jaw bone is affected. Previously, it was shown that osteoclasts derived from different bone sites have different properties. We hypothesize that BPs have distinct effects on bone-site specific osteoclasts or precursors. To investigate this, female C57BL/6J mice were injected intraperitone...

Background: Osteoclasts are unique multinucleated cells that originate from the fusion of monocytes. They are the only cells known to be capable of bone resorption. Interestingly, the foreign body multinucleated giant cell (FBGC) arises from the same lineage as the osteoclast, and they share numerous similar characteristics, among which the expression of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP). Yet, it is not known whether the FBGC has the capacity to resorb bone.<p cl...

Background: Osteoclasts (OCs) are bone-degrading cells that differentiate from the monocyte/macrophage lineage. In human, three monocyte subsets have been identified: classical, intermediate and non-classical monocytes. We have previously demonstrated that comparable numbers of OCs can be generated from these subsets on plastic, but that the number of OCs significantly differs when the monocytes are cultured on bone. It is plausible that the observed differences are associated...

Background: Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is a progressive disease characterized by periods of heterotopic ossification, often in ligaments. The underlying mechanism is far from clear, partially due to limited access to patient-derived cell models. Periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF) from extracted teeth can potentially be used to study deviant bone remodelling processes in vitro since these cells are derived from actual ligaments. They further provid...

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are used to treat bone diseases characterized by excessive bone resorption. However, BPs can negatively affect the jaw bone by causing osteonecrosis of the jaw. Previously, we showed that BPs differently affect long-bone and jaw osteoclast precursors. Administration of BPs in vivo reduced the number of jaw bone marrow cells, without affecting long-bone marrow cells. Yet, BPs increased bone volume and mineral density of both long bone and jaw. Her...