Role of RANKL in physiological and pathological bone resorption and therapeutics targeting the RANKL-RANK signaling system.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. tanakas-ort@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Osteoclasts are primary cells for physiological and pathological bone resorption, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) is critically involved in the differentiation, activation, and survival of these cells. Recently, therapeutics for pathological bone destruction targeting RANKL pathways has attracted a great deal of attention. Herein, we review the recent advances in the research on osteoclast biology and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of anti-RANKL therapies.

PMID: 16313339 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]