Bone biology: Development and regeneration mechanisms in physiological and pathological conditions

Abstract

Bone is a highly specialized connective tissue which serves various functions essential for life, such as protection for vital organs including bone marrow, mechanical support as a locomotive organ, metabolic regulation for the minerals, and maintenance of serum homeostasis. Bone development, repair and regeneration are complicatedly regulated by cells, matrix, and local and systemic hormones or cytokines. Understanding the mechanisms of bone development and regeneration is essential for the bone regenerative medicine and bone tissue engineering. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.