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Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow
Published on: November 6, 2014
Interleukin-6 and interleukin-11 support human osteoclast formation by a RANKL-independent mechanism
1Department of Pathology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.
Abstract:
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-11 (IL-11) are known to influence osteoclast formation and bone resorption. In order to determine whether IL-6 and IL-11 could independently support human osteoclast formation, these factors were added to cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the monocyte (CD14(+)) fraction in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Under these conditions, IL-6 and IL-11 induced the formation of multinucleated cells which were positive for TRAP, VNR, and calcitonin receptor and capable of lacunar resorption. Osteoclastogenesis induced by IL-6 and IL-11 was inhibited by the addition of an anti-gp130 antibody but not by osteoprotegerin. These results indicate that IL-6 and IL-11, which are thought to play a role in several osteolytic bone disorders, are directly capable of inducing osteoclast formation by a RANKL-independent mechanism.
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