Osteocytes are an ancient cell, appearing in fossilized skeletal remains of early fish and dinosaurs. Despite its relative high abundance, even in the context of nonskeletal cells, the osteocyte is perhaps among the least studied cells in all of vertebrate biology. Osteocytes are cells embedded in bone, able to modify their surrounding extracellular matrix via specialized molecular remodeling mechanisms that are independent of the bone forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Osteocytes communicate with osteoclasts and osteoblasts via distinct signaling molecules that include the RankL/OPG axis and the Sost/Dkk1/Wnt axis, among others. Osteocytes also extend their influence beyond the local bone environment by functioning as an endocrine cell that controls phosphate reabsorption in the kidney, insulin secretion in the pancreas, and skeletal muscle function. These cells are also finely tuned sensors of mechanical stimulation to coordinate with effector cells to adjust bone mass, size, and shape to conform to mechanical demands.

中文翻译：

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骨细胞：新见解。

骨细胞是一种古老的细胞，出现在早期鱼类和恐龙的化石骨骼中。尽管其相对丰度很高，即使在非骨骼细胞的情况下，骨细胞也可能是整个脊椎动物生物学中研究最少的细胞之一。骨细胞是包埋在骨骼中的细胞，能够通过专门的分子重塑机制来修饰其周围的细胞外基质，而这种机制不依赖于形成骨的成骨细胞和吸收骨的破骨细胞。骨细胞通过包括RankL / OPG轴和Sost / Dkk1 / Wnt轴等独特的信号分子与破骨细胞和成骨细胞进行通讯。骨细胞还起着内分泌细胞的作用，将其影响范围扩展到了局部骨环境之外，该内分泌细胞控制着肾脏中磷酸盐的重吸收，胰腺中胰岛素的分泌，和骨骼肌功能。这些细胞也是微调的机械刺激传感器，可与效应细胞协调以调节骨量，大小和形状，以符合机械要求。