title: The immune system, bone and RANKL.
abstract: Bone and immune systems are tightly linked. In the past years, many molecules originally believed to belong to the immune system were found to function in bone cells. It is now evident that the two systems are coregulated by many shared cytokines and signaling molecules. Here we exemplify the complex interaction between bone metabolism and immune response focusing on the multifaceted role of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). RANKL is expressed by cells of both systems, is an essential regulator of bone degradation and exerts either pro or anti-inflammatory effects on the immune response. In the present review, we summarize the multiple functions of RANKL in bone and in the immune systems, aiming to provide an overview of the field of osteoimmunology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Explorative Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO) Program, Takayanagi Osteonetwork Project, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
authors.forename: Matteo M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Guerrini
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Explorative Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO) Program, Takayanagi Osteonetwork Project, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. Electronic address: takayana@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takayanagi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D053245:RANK Ligand
keywords: Osteoimmunology; RANKL; Rheumatoid arthritis; T and B lymphocytes