Osteoclasts resorb bone and their precursor cells express sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors. Too much S1P, and too many osteoclast precursors move into the blood; too little S1P results in increased attachment to bone and osteoporosis. Furthermore, S1P receptor stimulation in live mice diminishes bone loss in a mouse model of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
- Masaru Ishii
- Jackson G. Egen
- Ronald N. Germain