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Role of RANKL and RANK in bone loss and arthritis

D Holstead Jones¹, Y-Y Kong², J M Penninger¹

¹ Institute for Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria Departments of Immunology and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, University Health Network, Canada
² Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea

Correspondence to:
Crrespondence to:
Dr J M Penninger;
jpenning{at}uhnres.utoronto.ca

The tumour necrosis factor family molecule RANKL (RANKL, TRANCE, ODF) and its receptor RANK are key regulators of bone remodelling and regulate T cell/dendritic cell communications, and lymph node formation. Moreover, RANKL and RANK are expressed in mammary gland epithelial cells and control the development of a lactating mammary gland during pregnancy and the propagation of mammalian species. Importantly, RANKL and RANK are essential for the development and activation of osteoclasts and bone loss in response to virtually all triggers tested. Therapeutically, inhibition of RANKL function via the decoy receptor osteoprotegerin completely prevents bone loss at inflammed joints and has partially beneficial effects on cartilage destruction in all arthritis models studied. Modulation of these systems provides a unique opportunity to design novel treatments to inhibit bone loss and crippling in arthritis.

Keywords: bone loss; arthritis

Abbreviations: TNF, tumour necrosis factor; RANKL, receptor activator of NFB ligand; OPG, osteoprotegerin; TACE, TNF convertase; ODF, osteoclast differentiation factor; TRANCE, TNF related activation induced cytokine; TRAF, tumour necrosis factor receptor associated factor; RA, rheumatoid arthritis

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