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. 2010 Dec 1;8(4):189-200.
doi: 10.1007/s12018-011-9084-8.

Gap Junctions and Biophysical Regulation of Bone Cells

Shane A J Lloyd  1 , Henry J Donahue
Affiliations

Gap Junctions and Biophysical Regulation of Bone Cells

Shane A J Lloyd et al. Clin Rev Bone Miner Metab. .

Abstract

Communication between osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes is integral to their ability to build and maintain the skeletal system and respond to physical signals. Various physiological mechanisms, including nerve communication, hormones, and cytokines, play an important role in this process. More recently, the important role of direct, cell-cell communication via gap junctions has been established. In this review, we demonstrate the integral role of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in skeletal physiology and bone cell mechanosensing.

Keywords: Cell-to-cell communication; Connexins; Gap junctions; Intercellular communication; Mechanosensing; Mechanotransduction; Osteocytes.

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