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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Effect of Anti-c-fms Antibody on Osteoclast Formation and Proliferation of Osteoclast Precursor In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2019
Anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 regulates the differentiation, activation, and survival of both osteoblasts and
Yuichi Nagase1, Mitsuyasu Iwasawa1, Toru Akiyama1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Abstract:
The anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis by preventing cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Although several studies have indicated the importance of Bcl-2 in maintaining skeletal integrity, the detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Bcl-2(-/-) mice are growth-retarded and exhibit increased bone volume of the primary spongiosa, mainly due to the decreased number and dysfunction of osteoclasts. Osteoblast function is also impaired in Bcl-2(-/-) mice. Ex vivo studies on osteoblasts and osteoclasts showed that Bcl-2 promoted the differentiation, activation, and survival of both cell types. Because Bcl-2(-/-) mice die before 6 weeks of age due to renal failure and cannot be compared with adult wild type mice, we generated Bcl-2(-/-)Bim(+/-) mice, in which a single Bim allele was inactivated, and compared them with their Bcl-2(+/-)Bim(+/-) littermates. Loss of a single Bim allele restored normal osteoclast function in Bcl-2(-/-) mice but did not restore the impaired function of osteoblasts, and the mice exhibited osteopenia. These data demonstrate that Bcl-2 promotes the differentiation, activity, and survival of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The balance between Bcl-2 and Bim regulates osteoclast apoptosis and function, whereas other pro-apoptotic members are important for osteoblasts.
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