Strain amplification in the bone mechanosensory system

This article discusses the potential mechanisms by which the strain induced at the membrane of an osteocyte may be amplified from the strain experienced by the whole bone due to mechanical loading. These mechanisms address the question of how these mechanical load-induced small strains of (typically) about 0.1% (but up to 0.5%) applied to a whole bone are amplified to strains of 1% or larger at the membrane of the osteocyte buried in its lacuna in the bone matrix. The answer to this question is an important link in the mechanosensory system in bone and in relating in vitro cell studies to in vivo cellular response.