New insights into osteoclastogenic signaling mechanisms.
Bone is continuously renewed through a dynamic balance between bone resorption and formation. This process is the fundamental basis for the maintenance of normal bone mass and architecture. Osteoclasts play a crucial role in both physiological and pathological bone resorption, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) is the key cytokine that induces osteoclastogenesis. Here we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of osteoclastogenic signaling by focusing on the investigation of RANKL signaling and RANKL-expressing cells in the context of osteoimmunology. The context afforded by osteoimmunology will provide a scientific basis for future therapeutic approaches to diseases related to the skeletal and immune systems.
Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan.
Tomoki
T
Nakashima
Mikihito
M
Hayashi
Hiroshi
H
Takayanagi
D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000378:metabolism*; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; C494003:NFATC1 protein, human; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D053245:RANK Ligand; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; C505686:TNFRSF11A protein, human; C506030:TNFRSF11B protein, human; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human