Relationships Between Human Osteoblasts and Haemopoietic Cells in Bone Remodelling

Funded Activity Summary

Bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, currently afflict more than 4 million Australians. These diseases are characterised by abnormal bone remodelling, which can result in a net loss of bone (for example, in osteoporosis) or abnormal bone structure (for example, in osteoarthritis). We are seeking to better understand the factors that regulate bone remodelling, and particularly the cells involved in this process. Physiological bone remodelling results from the intimate collaboration between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoblasts stimulate the formation of osteoclasts and also produce new bone at resporption sites. However, the way that the same type of cell can perform both these tasks, is not clear. Our studies are designed to increase our understanding of the development of human osteoblasts and of the factors that cause them to be sequentially pro-osteoclastic and then pro-osteogenic. We believe that an important factor in this process is vitamin D and we will test the hypothesis that this molecule is produced in bone and acts locally to regulate bone turnover.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2004

End Date: 01-01-2006

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $436,450.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Orthopaedics

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

bone formation | bone remodelling | bone turnover | differentiation | osteoarthritis | osteoblasts | osteoclastic bone resorption | osteoclasts | osteoporosis | vitamin D

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