Mechanotransduction in bone

Abstract

This article reviewed the progresses in the research of mechanisms of bone adaptation. The process of mechanotransduction can be divided into four distinct steps: mechanocoupling; biochemical coupling; transmission of signal; effector cell response. Through these four steps, the loads acting on the bones are transduced into biochemical signals, and then change the function of bone cells, finally induce the changes of bone structures to adapt the mechanical environment.