Giant cell formation and function.
OBJECTIVE
To provide insight into the current state of understanding regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of various types of multinucleated giant cells.


RESULTS
Recent studies involving mainly osteoclasts and foreign body giant cells have revealed a number of common factors, for example, vitronectin, an adhesion protein, dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein, a fusion factor, and macrophage fusion receptor, that contribute to giant cell formation and function. Insight into common molecules, receptors, and mediators of adhesion and fusion mechanisms of giant cell formation have been complicated by the wide diversity of species, models, and cell types utilized in these studies.


CONCLUSIONS
These recently identified factors together with the well known osteoclast receptor, alphavbeta3, may serve as potential therapeutic targets for the modulation and inhibition of multinucleated giant cell formation and function. Further studies on intracellular and intercellular signaling mechanisms modulating multinucleated giant cell formation and function are necessary for the identification of therapeutic targets as well as a better understanding of giant cell biology.
Brodbeck
William G
WG
Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Anderson
James M
JM
D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002459:Cell Fusion; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D015743:Giant Cells, Foreign-Body / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000473:pathology
D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3