The Mechanotransduction Signaling Pathways in the Regulation of Osteogenesis

Abstract

Bones are constantly exposed to mechanical forces from both muscles and Earth’s gravity to maintain bone homeostasis by stimulating bone formation. Mechanotransduction transforms external mechanical signals such as force, fluid flow shear, and gravity into intracellular responses to achieve force adaptation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms on the conversion from mechanical signals into bone formation has not been completely defined yet. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive and systematic description of the mechanotransduction signaling pathways induced by mechanical stimuli during osteogenesis and address the different layers of interconnections between different signaling pathways. Further exploration of mechanotransduction would benefit patients with osteoporosis, including the aging population and postmenopausal women.

Receptors Implicated in Microgravity-Induced Bone Loss

“…We also direct the reader's attention to an excellent short review of the literature, which includes a detailed analysis of methods for simulating microgravity [7]. A very recent review examines mechanotransduction pathways, including in microgravity, in greater detail than we provide [8].…”