The Role of Autophagy in Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Resorption Function

TL;DR

This review discusses how autophagy, a cellular recycling process, influences osteoclast function and bone health, particularly in conditions like osteoporosis.

Contribution

The paper consolidates recent findings on autophagy's role in osteoclasts, offering a comprehensive overview of its impact on bone homeostasis.

Findings

Autophagy is essential for osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption.

Dysregulated autophagy is linked to increased bone loss and osteoporosis.

Autophagy-related proteins play a key role in maintaining bone homeostasis.

Abstract

Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved and highly regulated recycling process of cellular wastes. Having a housekeeping role, autophagy through the digestion of domestic cytosolic organelles, proteins, macromolecules, and pathogens, eliminates unnecessary materials and provides nutrients and energy for cell survival and maintenance. The critical role of autophagy and autophagy-related proteins in osteoclast differentiation, bone resorption, and maintenance of bone homeostasis has previously been reported. Increasing evidence reveals that autophagy dysregulation leads to alteration of osteoclast function and enhanced bone loss, which is associated with the onset and progression of osteoporosis. In this review, we briefly consolidate the current state-of-the-art technology regarding the role of autophagy in osteoclast function in both physiologic and pathologic conditions to have a more general view on this issue.

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