A model for the role of integrins in flow induced mechanotransduction in osteyocytes

Recent studies demonstrate that osteocyte processes directly attach to the canalicular wall at discrete, infrequent collagen hillocks, most likely via integrins. In the current paper, we develop a model for these attachment complexes to determine whether they would induce focal strain amplification. Our model predicts that axial strains on the osteocyte process membrane in the vicinity of integrin-based attachments are approximately two orders of magnitude larger than whole bone tissue strains due to the sliding of actin filaments relative to integrin-based attachments. This large strain amplification can provide a mechanism for osteocyte excitation.