Experimental model for studying the involvement of regulatory cytotoxic T cells in bone resorption

T cells may affect the activity of osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells. In particular, recently authors focalize their attention on CD8(+) T cells, demonstrating that murine pre-osteoclasts can recruit naïve CD8(+) T cells and induce them to differentiate in regulatory cytotoxic T cells (TcREG), which in turn may suppress osteoclast formation and activity. Thus, here we describe the methodological approach needed to obtain TcREG and to evaluate TcREG effects on murine osteoclast activity and formation in an in vitro experimental model.