Primary cilia are responsible for sensing mechanical loading in osteocytes. However, the underlying working mechanism of cilia remains elusive. An osteocyte model is necessary to reveal the role of cilia. Furthermore, the osteocyte model should be with upregulated or downregulated primary cilium expression. Herein, we used a pharmacological method to regulate the cilium formation of osteocytes. After screening, some pharmacological agents can regulate the cilium formation of osteocytes. We performed a CCK-8 assay to analyze the optimal working conditions of the drugs for MLO-Y4 cells. The agents include chloral hydrate (CH), Gd³⁺, Li⁺, and rapamycin. The expression of cilia affects the cellular functions, including mechanosensitivity, of osteocytes. Results showed that CH downregulated the cilium formation and ciliogenesis of osteocytes. In addition, Gd³⁺, Li⁺, and rapamycin upregulated the cilium expression of osteocytes. Moreover, the cilium expression positively correlated with the mechanosensitivity of osteocytes. This work reveals the role of primary cilia in the mechanosensing of osteocytes.

原发纤毛负责感测骨细胞的机械负荷。但是，纤毛的基本工作机制仍然难以捉摸。骨细胞模型对于揭示纤毛的作用是必需的。此外，骨细胞模型应具有上调或下调的初级纤毛表达。在本文中，我们使用药理学方法来调节骨细胞的纤毛形成。筛选后，一些药物可以调节骨细胞的纤毛形成。我们进行了CCK-8分析，以分析药物对MLO-Y4细胞的最佳工作条件。这些试剂包括水合氯醛（CH），Gd ³⁺，Li ⁺和雷帕霉素。纤毛的表达影响骨细胞的细胞功能，包括机械敏感性。结果显示，CH下调骨细胞的纤毛形成和纤毛生成。此外，Gd ³⁺，Li ⁺和雷帕霉素上调了骨细胞的纤毛表达。此外，纤毛的表达与骨细胞的机械敏感性呈正相关。这项工作揭示了原发性纤毛在骨细胞机械传感中的作用。