Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
07:37
An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
Inflammatory arthritis increases mouse osteoclast precursors with myeloid suppressor function
Julia F Charles1, Lih-Yun Hsu, Erene C Niemi
1Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA. jfcharles@partners.org
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|November 2, 2012
Summary
Researchers identified a novel myeloid precursor population in bone marrow with osteoclast-forming and T cell-suppressing abilities. These precursors expand in inflammatory arthritis and may offer new therapeutic targets for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves increased osteoclast bone resorption, leading to joint erosion and osteoporosis.
- The specific in vivo osteoclast precursor (OCP) population and its role in RA pathogenesis are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a novel osteoclast precursor (OCP) population in vivo.
- To investigate the role of this OCP population in inflammatory arthritis and T cell regulation.
Main Methods:
- Identification of a CD11b(-/lo)Ly6C(hi) bone marrow (BM) population with OCP activity.
- In vitro and in vivo assays to assess osteoclast differentiation and T cell suppression.
- Analysis of OCP expansion in inflammatory arthritis mouse models.
Main Results:
- A novel BM myeloid precursor population (CD11b(-/lo)Ly6C(hi)) exhibiting OCP activity was identified.
- These OCPs display mixed M1/M2 monocyte features and expand during inflammatory arthritis.
- OCPs suppressed T cell proliferation in vitro via nitric oxide (NO) production, similar to monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs).
Conclusions:
- A BM myeloid precursor population with both osteoclastic and T cell-suppressive functions has been identified and is expanded in inflammatory arthritis.
- Targeting OCP development into bone-resorbing cells could simultaneously address bone loss and inflammation in RA.
- This OCP population represents a potential therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis.
Related Concept Videos
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...