Ex vivo real-time observation of Ca2Â + signaling in living bone in response to shear stress applied on the bone surface

► We developed a real-time Ca2 + imaging system to capture an early signaling event in mechanotransduction in bone. ► Osteoblasts and osteocytes displayed flow-activated intracellular Ca2 + oscillations. ► Gap junction-mediated cell-cell communication plays an important role in regulating these responses.