Osteoblastic cells: Differentiation and trans-differentiation

The osteoblast is the bone forming cell and is derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) present among the bone marrow stroma. MSC are capable of multi-lineage differentiation into mesoderm-type cells such as osteoblasts and adipocytes. Understanding the mechanisms underlying osteoblast differentiation from MSC is a central topic in bone biology that can provide insight into mechanisms of bone maintenance and also novel pharmacological targets to increase osteoblast differentiation and consequently bone formation.