René F. M. van Oers, Hong Wang, Rommel G. Bacabac
There is considerable variation in the shape of osteocyte lacunae, which is likely to influence the function of osteocytes as the professional mechanosensors of bone. In this review, we first discussed how mechanical loading could affect the shape of osteocyte lacunae. Recent studies show that osteocyte lacunae are aligned to collagen. Since collagen fiber orientation is affected by loading mode, this alignment may help to understand how mechanical loading shapes the osteocyte lacuna. Secondly, we discussed how the shape of osteocytes could influence their mechanosensation. In vitro, round osteocytes are more mechanosensitive than flat osteocytes. Altered lacunar morphology has been associated with bone pathology. It is important to know whether osteocyte shape is part of the etiology. © 2015, The Author(s).
Department of Oral Cell Biology, ACTA - University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, Amsterdam, 1081 LA, Netherlands; Department of Dental Materials Science, ACTA - University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Medical Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, University of San Carlos, Talamban Campus, Cebu City, Philippines
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