Cited by 452Bone Metabolism and DiseasesBone health and osteoporosis researchBone health and treatments

Modeling the interactions between osteoblast and osteoclast activities in bone remodeling

Lemaire, Vincent, Tobin, Frank L., Greller, Larry D., Cho, Carolyn R., Suva, Larry J.·2004·Journal of Theoretical Biology

Abstract

We propose a mathematical model explaining the interactions between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, two cell types specialized in the maintenance of the bone integrity. Bone is a dynamic, living tissue whose structure and shape continuously evolves during life. It has the ability to change architecture by removal of old bone and replacement with newly formed bone in a localized process called remodeling. The model described here is based on the idea that the relative proportions of immature and mature osteoblasts control the degree of osteoclastic activity. In addition, osteoclasts control osteoblasts differentially depending on their stage of differentiation. Despite the tremendous complexity of the bone regulatory system and its fragmentary understanding, we obtain surprisingly good correlations between the model simulations and the experimental observations extracted from the literature. The model results corroborate all behaviors of the bone remodeling system that we have simulated, including the tight coupling between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the catabolic effect induced by continuous administration of PTH, the catabolic action of RANKL, as well as its reversal by soluble antagonist OPG. The model is also able to simulate metabolic bone diseases such as estrogen deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, senescence and glucocorticoid excess. Conversely, possible routes for therapeutic interventions are tested and evaluated. Our model confirms that anti-resorptive therapies are unable to partially restore bone loss, whereas bone formation therapies yield better results. The model enables us to determine and evaluate potential therapies based on their efficacy. In particular, the model predicts that combinations of anti-resorptive and anabolic therapies provide significant benefits compared with monotherapy, especially for certain type of skeletal disease. Finally, the model clearly indicates that increasing the size of the pool of preosteoblasts is an essential ingredient for the therapeutic manipulation of bone formation. This model was conceived as the first step in a bone turnover modeling platform. These initial modeling results are extremely encouraging and lead us to proceed with additional explorations into bone turnover and skeletal remodeling.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jtbi.2004.03.023

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Authors
Lemaire, V., Tobin, F. L., Greller, L. D., Cho, C. R., & Suva, L. J.
Affiliations
GlaxoSmithKline (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
  • Lemaire, Vincent
  • Tobin, Frank L.
Venue
Journal of Theoretical Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-08
Volume
229
Issue
3
Pages
293-309
ISSN
0022-5193 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2168376037
Cited by
452
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 37
FWCI
2.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Theoretical Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bone Metabolism and Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Bone health and treatments
Keywords
bone remodeling, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, bone turnover, mathematical model, osteoclastogenesis, parathyroid hormone, RANKL, osteoprotegerin, estrogen deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, glucocorticoid excess, bone loss, antiresorptive therapy, anabolic therapy, combination therapy
MeSH terms
Bone Diseases, Metabolic, Cell Communication, Humans, Models, Biological, Osteoblasts, Osteoclasts, Parathyroid Hormone, Bone Remodeling

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