@article {10144,
	title = {The enigma of bone without osteocytes},
	journal = {IBMS BoneKEy},
	year = {2013},
	abstract = {One of the hallmarks of tetrapod bone is the presence of numerous cells (osteocytes) within the matrix. Osteocytes arevital components of tetrapod bone, orchestrating the processes of bone building, reshaping and repairing (modeling andremodeling), and probably also participating in calcium-phosphorus homeostasis via both the local process ofosteocytic osteolysis, and systemic effecton the kidneys. Given these critical roles of osteocytes, it is thought-provokingthat the entire skeleton of many fishes consists of bone material that does not contain osteocytes. This raises theintriguing question of how the skeleton of these animals accomplishes the various essential functions attributed toosteocytes in other vertebrates, and raises the possibility that in acellular bone some of these functions are eitheraccomplished by non-osteocytic routes or not necessary at all. In this review,we outline evidence for and against the factthat primary functions normally ascribed to osteocytes, such as mechanosensation, regulation of osteoblast/clastactivity and mineral metabolism, also occur in fish bone devoid of these cells, and therefore must be carried out throughalternative and perhaps ancient pathways. To enable meaningful comparisons with mammalian bone, we suggestthorough, phylogenetic examinations of regulatory pathways, studies of structure and mechanical properties andsurveys of the presence/absence of bone cells in fishes. Insights gained into the micro-/nanolevel structure andarchitecture of fish bone, its mechanical properties and its physiology in health and disease will contribute to thediscipline of fish skeletal biology, but may also help answer questions of basic bone biology.},
	author = {Dean, M. and Shahar, R.}
}
