Osteocytes, former osteoblasts that become embedded within the mineralized bone matrix, are the major source of receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL) for osteoclast formation and bone remodeling, two new studies in mice independently reveal.RANKL is essential for osteoclast differentiation, but which cell type supplies RANKL for osteoclastogenesis was a source of debate. "The idea that osteoblast progenitors support osteoclast formation had become the dominant paradigm and our results challenge this paradigm," comments Charles O'Brien from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the senior researcher in the first study.
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