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Updated: May 27, 2026
A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation
Published on: March 15, 2018
Murine RANK protein's inhibition of bone resorption
Junhe Zhang1, Licheng Zhang, Meng Xu
1Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China.
Objective:
The objective was to study the inhibitory effects of recombinant murine receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) protein on osteoclasts in vivo and in vitro.
Methods:
The RANK protein was added to the cocultures of osteoclasts at concentrations of 10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4) g/L. The morphology and number of osteoclasts were examined. Female KM mice were ovariectomized and treated with RANK protein at 5 mg/kg body weight. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism, bone mineral density, and bone morphology were examined.
Results:
Three days after RANK treatment, the numbers of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts and resorption pits in bone slices decreased significantly in each treatment group, with the most significant decrease observed in the 10(-4) g/L group. Compared with the control group in vivo, the RANK-treated group exhibited higher bone mineral density and nearly complete inhibition of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts in bone slices.
Conclusions:
Recombinant murine RANK protein effectively inhibits the activity of osteoclasts and the resulting bone resorption.
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