In a state of health, osteocytes are an important regulatory cell type in bone. Housing within the fluid-filled interstitium of lacunae and canaliculi, the dendrite forming osteocytes are sensing and translating the mechanical loading information to guide bone remodeling. Through perilacunar/canalicular remodeling, osteocytes actively participate in bone matrix turnover, shaping their lacunar-canalicular network while freeing calcium from the bone matrix. As endocrine active cells, osteocyte secrete factors to communicate with distant tissues and vice versa. However, impairments in the osteocyte network are a prominent contributing factor within multiple bone pathologies.
The aim of this presentation is to establish a broader understanding of osteocyte biology focusing on aspects of osteocyte functionality and network connectivity that are either a characteristic pathological feature or even drive disease progression. Thereby, recent developments with regards to functional imaging of the osteocyte network will be highlighted and potential novel research avenues identified.