Osteoclasts are unique, highly specialized cells, which arise from the bone marrow. Young osteoclast circulates in the blood and can move to sites where bone resorption is required.
Osteoclasts start the process by boring tiny holds into solid bone so that other specialized cells, called osteoblasts, can refill the open spaces with fresh bone.
At that point, crystals of calcium, the best known dietary bone builder, glom onto the network of new bone cells to harden and strengthen the bone.
Osteoclasts break down bone by the production of enzymes (TRACP and Cathepsin K), which are transported in little balloons and secreted through the ruffled border. It is into this sealed microenvironment that hydrogen ions and proteolytic lysosomal enzymes are secreted which dissolved the mineral phase and digest the organic phase, respectively.
Osteoclasts also produce acid and work by dissolving the bone crystals and digesting the collagen fibers.
What are osteoclasts?
