Bone cell mechanobiology and bone disease

Bone is a dynamic, adaptive, self-repairing system composed of numerous bone cells, including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), osteoblasts (OBs), osteoclasts (OCs), and osteocytes (Ocys). Studies show that mechanical factors play an important role in maintaining bone homeostasis and bone health through the mechanotransduction of bone cells. Bone diseases develop when the mechanotransduction of bone cells is altered. In addition, cartilage and its single constituent cell type, the chondrocyte, also sense and respond to mechanical stimuli, which affects cartilage health. In this chapter, we introduce the relationship between the mechanotransduction of bone cells (BM-MSCs, OBs, OCs, and Ocys) and bone diseases (osteoporosis (OP) and scoliosis). In addition, we describe the relationship between chondrocyte mechanotransduction and osteoarthritis (OA).