Expression of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) mRNA in human multiple myeloma cells.
OBJECTIVE
Increased bone resorption is a hallmark of multiple myeloma and a result of excessive osteoclast activation. Recently, the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) was found to be the critical factor for osteoclastogenesis. Studies showed that myeloma cells induce RANKL expression in bone marrow stromal cells, but it remained a controversy whether myeloma cells directly express RANKL.


METHODS
Therefore, we analyzed the expression of RANKL mRNA in freshly isolated CD138 positive plasma cells from patients with multiple myeloma and osteolytic bone lesions, using three different primer pairs against human RANKL.


RESULTS
RANKL mRNA could be detected in bone marrow plasma cells from myeloma patients with osteolytic myeloma bone disease.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings show that myeloma cells directly express RANKL and indicate that specific blockade of RANKL may be an effective treatment for myeloma bone disease.
Heider
Ulrike
U
Department of Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Charité, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, 10098 Berlin, Germany.
Zavrski
Ivana
I
Jakob
Christian
C
Bängeroth
Katharina
K
Fleissner
Claudia
C
Langelotz
Corinna
C
Possinger
Kurt
K
Hofbauer
Lorenz C
LC
Viereck
Volker
V
Sezer
Orhan
O
D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000737:chemistry; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000737:chemistry*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D053245:RANK Ligand; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011509:Proteoglycans; D053245:RANK Ligand; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; C508241:SDC1 protein, human; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans; C505686:TNFRSF11A protein, human; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human