Osteoclast Heterogeneity in Aging: New Tools to Decode Bone Resorption and Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a dynamic and tightly regulated process that maintains skeletal integrity throughout life. Central to this process are osteoclasts, the multinucleated cells responsible for bone resorption. While osteoclasts have long been regarded as a relatively uniform cell population, growing evidence suggests that they are highly heterogeneous, with distinct developmental origins, molecular signatures, functional states, and responses to local and systemic cues. This heterogeneity appears to become especially relevant in the context of aging, where changes in osteoclast activity contribute to impaired bone homeostasis, skeletal fragility, and age-associated bone diseases such as osteoporosis.Recent technological advances are transforming our understanding of osteoclast biology. Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, high-resolution imaging, lineage-tracing approaches, multi-omics integration, and improved in vitro and in vivo models are now enabling researchers to dissect osteoclast diversity with unprecedented precision. These tools offer exciting opportunities to uncover how osteoclast subpopulations influence bone resorption and remodeling during aging, and how age-related alterations in the bone marrow niche, immune system, metabolism, and mechanical environment shape osteoclast behavior.This Research Topic aims to bring together articles that explore osteoclast heterogeneity in aging and highlight emerging tools and concepts that are redefining the field. We welcome contributions addressing the cellular, molecular, and functional diversity of osteoclasts, as well as studies examining how this diversity affects skeletal aging and bone pathology.Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:1. Osteoclast heterogeneity across the lifespan and during skeletal aging2. Developmental origins and lineage diversity of osteoclasts3. Single-cell, spatial, and multi-omics approaches to osteoclast biology4. Imaging and computational tools to study bone resorption and remodeling5. Interactions between osteoclasts and osteoblasts, osteocytes, stromal cells, and immune cells in aging bone6. The impact of inflammaging, senescence, and metabolic dysfunction on osteoclast function7. Osteoclast heterogeneity in osteoporosis and other age-related skeletal disorders8. Translational and therapeutic implications of targeting osteoclast subpopulationsBy showcasing new discoveries and methodological advances, this collection seeks to deepen our understanding of osteoclast diversity and its role in age-related bone remodeling. Ultimately, it aims to support the development of more precise strategies to preserve skeletal health and treat bone disease in older adults. Topic editors: Helen Knowles Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79271/osteoclast-heterogeneity-in-aging-new-tools-to-decode-bone-resorption-and-remodeling