title: [Research progress of regulation of osteoclast formation and function].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the recent research progress of the regulatory mechanisms of osteoclast (OC) formation and functions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The related literature on OC formation, activation, and functions was reviewed, analyzed, and summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Macrophage colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand are essential cytokines which regulate all aspects of OC formation and functions. In additional to mediating bone resorption, OCs also participate in regulation of osteoblast formation and immune responses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The researches on the regulation of OC formation and functions have further revealed the destruction mechanisms of various kinds of bone diseases, which will facilitate to find more suitable biological targets for clinical therapy.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Yan
authors: Xin
authors: X
authors: Lin
authors: Xiaohua
authors: X
authors: Dai
authors: Guanhua
authors: G
authors: Wang
authors: Linpu
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Huiru
authors: H
authors: Zou
mesh_terms: D001862:Bone Resorption; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D010006:Osteoblasts; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000502:physiology; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D053245:RANK Ligand; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor