Isolation of murine and human osteocytes

Matthew Prideaux, Amber Rath Stern, Lynda F. Bonewald

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Osteocytes are thought to be the mechanosensors of bone by sensing mechanical loads imposed upon the bone and transmitting these signals to the other bone cells to initiate bone modeling and remodeling. The location of osteocytes deep within bone is ideal for their function. However, this location makes the study of osteocytes in vivo technically difficult. There are several methods for obtaining and culturing primary osteocytes for in vitro experiments and ex vivo observation. In this chapter, several proven methods are discussed including the isolation of avian osteocytes from chicks and osteocytes from calvaria and long bones of young mice. A detailed protocol for the isolation of osteocytes from hypermineralized bone of mature and aged animals is provided. In addition, a modified version of this protocol that can be used to isolate osteocytes from human trabecular bone is described.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages3-13
Number of pages11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume2221
ISSN (Print)1064-3745
ISSN (Electronic)1940-6029

Keywords

  • Age
  • Collagenase
  • Culture
  • Isolation
  • Mice
  • Osteocyte

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Isolation of murine and human osteocytes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this