Fig. 5
From: The roles of osteocytes in alveolar bone destruction in periodontitis
Apoptosis of osteocytes directly or indirectly promotes osteoclastogenesis and related bone resorption. Apoptotic osteocytes can release, or induce surrounding osteocytes to express, RANKL to modulate preosteoclast adherence and differentiation into osteoclasts. Secondary osteocyte necrosis can induce local inflammation and promote osteoclast formation and activation