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A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation

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Published on: March 15, 2018

The immune system, bone and RANKL.

Matteo M Guerrini¹, Hiroshi Takayanagi¹

¹Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Explorative Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO) Program, Takayanagi Osteonetwork Project, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics

|June 15, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The bone and immune systems are interconnected, sharing signaling molecules like receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). This review explores RANKL's dual role in bone metabolism and immune responses, highlighting osteoimmunology.

Keywords:

Osteoimmunology RANKL Rheumatoid arthritis T and B lymphocytes

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Area of Science:

Osteoimmunology
Molecular biology
Immunology
Bone biology

Background:

The bone and immune systems exhibit a close, bidirectional relationship.
Numerous molecules initially identified in the immune system are now recognized for their roles in bone cells.
Shared cytokines and signaling molecules underscore the coregulation of these two systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the multifaceted functions of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL).
To elucidate the complex interactions between bone metabolism and immune response.
To provide an overview of the emerging field of osteoimmunology.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on RANKL.
Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying RANKL function.
Synthesis of data on RANKL's impact on bone and immune cells.

Main Results:

Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) is expressed in both bone and immune cells.
RANKL is a critical regulator of bone resorption and turnover.
RANKL demonstrates both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system.

Conclusions:

RANKL plays a pivotal role in the interplay between bone and immunity.
Understanding RANKL's functions is key to advancing osteoimmunology.
Further research into RANKL pathways may offer therapeutic targets for related diseases.