Molecular Insights into Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is increasingly recognized as a biologically heterogeneous disorder in which alterations of cellular, molecular, endocrine, and metabolic networks contribute to impaired bone remodeling and skeletal fragility. Advances in molecular biology, single-cell and spatial technologies, epigenetics, and functional genomics have expanded our understanding of the mechanisms regulating osteoblast, osteoclast, and osteocyte function. Alongside established pathways such as RANK/RANKL/OPG and Wnt/β-catenin, emerging research highlights the roles of cellular senescence, mitochondrial and metabolic regulation, immune–bone interactions, and the bone marrow microenvironment. Endocrine regulators and signals including parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, sex steroids, FGF23/Klotho, sclerostin, osteocalcin, adipokines, and gut–bone signaling further contribute to skeletal homeostasis and osteoporosis pathogenesis.Despite these advances, many mechanisms underlying osteoporosis, bone quality, and fracture susceptibility remain incompletely understood. Improved characterization of molecular, cellular, and endocrine networks is essential for identifying biomarkers of fracture risk, disease progression, and treatment response. This Research Topic aims to bring together basic, translational, and clinical research exploring emerging mechanisms underlying osteoporosis and skeletal fragility. By integrating molecular endocrinology, bone biology, and precision medicine, this collection seeks to advance understanding of disease heterogeneity and translate molecular discoveries toward more precise risk stratification and mechanism-based therapeutic approaches.We welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to:• Emerging molecular mechanisms regulating bone remodeling and skeletal fragility• Single-cell and spatial omics, epigenetic regulation, and non-coding RNAs in osteoporosis• Cellular senescence, mitochondrial and metabolic regulation, and aging-related mechanisms• Endocrine signaling and immune–bone interactions in osteoporosis• Molecular determinants of bone quality and fracture susceptibility• Molecular and cellular biomarkers for fracture risk stratification, disease progression, and treatment response• Translational studies and mechanism-based therapeutic approaches Topic editors: Giacomina Brunetti, Zhousheng Xiao, Eleni Douni Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84555/molecular-insights-into-osteoporosis