title: Osteoclast formation and differentiation: an overview.
abstract: Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells of hematopoietic origin which are unique in their ability to resorb bone. Osteoclasts are generated from myeloid progenitors through a progression that involves the fusion of mononuclear precursor cells. The identification of RANK-RANKL signaling as the main signal regulating osteoclast differentiation was a major breakthrough in the bone biology field. In addition remarkable discoveries have been made to broaden the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of osteoclast formation and differentiation. Despite the vital requirement of osteoclasts in bone modeling and remodeling, bone-related conditions like osteoporosis, Paget's disease and rheumatoid arthritis where accelerated bone resorption takes place pose a major socioeconomic burden to the society. Hence, a better understanding of the pathways leading to osteoclast differentiation is vital in successfully managing such diseases. This is an attempt to give a birds-eye-view of the players in osteoclast formation and differentiation in a brief and concise manner.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pharmacology, Department of Bio-Matrix, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
authors.forename: Niroshani Surangika
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Soysa
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alles
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohya
mesh_terms: D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000503:physiopathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D023461:Myeloid Progenitor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000502:physiology*; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000502:physiology; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D053245:RANK Ligand; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; C505686:TNFRSF11A protein, human; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human