Bone mineral and matrix. Are they altered in osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a major health threat whose etiology remains elusive. Disease heterogeneity and until recently the absence of appropriate techniques prevented detailed analyses of the underlying defects in this disease. Among the questions that must be asked are: (1) Are the cells in the osteoporotic bone functioning normally? (2) Is the matrix produced by these cells normal? (3) Is the pattern of mineral deposition normal? If not, how do each of these differ from normal, what is the effect of that abnormality, and how can it be prevented or corrected? Through answering these questions the scientific community will learn the function of many of the matrix proteins and may gain insight into revolutionary new therapies. The tools of human bone cell culture, new imaging techniques, analyses in biopsy samples, and other aspects of modern biotechnology are now available to start answering these questions.