Epigenetic regulation of alkaline phosphatase in human cells of the osteoblastic lineage

► Methylation of a CpG island was inversely associated with ALPL expression and activity in several cell types ► Methylation was low in human osteoblasts, intermediate in lining cells and high in osteocytes ► DNA demethylation by AzadC induced ALPL expression ► DNA methylation regulates ALPL through cell transitions in the osteoblastic lineage