Bone Resorption Is Inhibited by an Osteocyte-Derived Protein

In the process of bone resorption, osteoclasts encounter a large number of osteocytes excavated from the bone tissue. For instance, osteocytes released from the collagen matrix have been shown to be engulfed into osteoclasts by phagocytosis. After the osteoclast-osteocyte encounter or incorporation of osteocytes into osteoclasts, it is possible that osteocytes transmit some signals to osteoclasts.