Possible effect of fluid shear stress on osteoclastogenesis

Bone remodeling is performed under the joint action of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Since the effect of osteoclasts has been gradually recognized on bone and joint diseases, targeted researches toward osteoclasts have become a hot research field. This article reviews the relevant medical literature concerning the possible effects of the fluid shear stress (FSS) on the osteoclastogenesis chiefly from the aspects of RANKL-RANK-OPG system, the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and calcitonin receptor (CTR). On the basis of the changes of the expression of osteoclastic activities, it is suggested that FSS is a potent, important regulator of bone metabolism.