Molecular Dynamics during Osteoclast Formation: Implication for Osteoclast Biology

摘要

Osteoclasts are specialized in bone resorption and most skeletal diseases are due to excess osteoclastic activity causing pain and fracture. Scientists often use cells of monocyte-macrophage lineage (precursors) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) to understand molecular mechanism of osteoclast formation and function in order to control the osteoclast activity. However, two sets of cell types (osteoclasts and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive mononucleated cells) are generated upon RANKL treatment hindering scientists from obtaining accurate information about osteoclasts (Figure 1).