Cited by 586Bone Metabolism and DiseasesBone health and osteoporosis researchRheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies

Role of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand and osteoprotegerin in bone cell biology

Hofbauer, Lorenz C., Heufelder, Armin E.·2001·Journal of Molecular Medicine

Abstract

Receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF-kappaB) ligand (RANKL), its cellular receptor, receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK), and the decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) constitute a novel cytokine system. RANKL produced by osteoblastic lineage cells and activated T lymphocytes is the essential factor for osteoclast formation, fusion, activation, and survival, thus resulting in bone resorption and bone loss. RANKL activates its specific receptor, RANK located on osteoclasts and dendritic cells, and its signaling cascade involves stimulation of the c-jun, NF-kappaB, and serine/threonine kinase PKB/Akt pathways. The effects of RANKL are counteracted by OPG which acts as a soluble neutralizing receptor. RANKL and OPG are regulated by various hormones (glucocorticoids, vitamin D, estrogen), cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukins 1, 4, 6, 11, and 17), and various mesenchymal transcription factors (such as cbfa-1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and Indian hedgehog). Transgenic and knock-out mice with excessive or defective production of RANKL, RANK, and OPG display the extremes of skeletal phenotypes, osteoporosis and osteopetrosis. Abnormalities of the RANKL/OPG system have been implicated in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Paget's disease, periodontal disease, benign and malignant bone tumors, bone metastases, and hypercalcemia of malignancy, while administration of OPG has been demonstrated to prevent or mitigate these disorders in animal models. RANKL and OPG are also important regulators of vascular biology and calcification and of the development of a lactating mammary gland during pregnancy, indicating a crucial role for this system in extraskeletal calcium handling. The discovery and characterization of RANKL, RANK, and OPG and subsequent studies have changed the concepts of bone and calcium metabolism, have led to a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of metabolic bone diseases, and may form the basis of innovative therapeutic strategies.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s001090100226

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  • Estrogen stimulates osteoblasts and osteocytes to produce osteoprotegerin (OPG), which inhibits osteoclastogenesis.

    “Moreover, estrogen stimulates these bone cells to produce osteoprotegerin (OPG), a decoy receptor of RANK in osteoclast, thus inhibiting osteoclastogenesis [19, 155–159].”

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Authors
Hofbauer, L. C., & Heufelder, A. E.
Affiliations
Philipps University of Marburg (DE)
Venue
Journal of Molecular Medicine
Published
2001-05-03
Volume
79
Issue
5-6
Pages
243-253
ISSN
  • 0946-2716 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-1440
OpenAlex
W2121778907
Cited by
586
References
130
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 27
FWCI
9.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Molecular Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bone Metabolism and Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies
Keywords
RANKL, RANK, osteoprotegerin, RANKL/OPG system, osteoclastogenesis, bone resorption, bone loss, NF-κB signaling, Akt signaling, c-Jun, osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, postmenopausal osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Paget's disease, periodontal disease, bone metastasis, hypercalcemia of malignancy, vascular calcification, mammary gland development, calcium metabolism, metabolic bone disease
MeSH terms
Animals, Bone and Bones, Bone Diseases, Carrier Proteins, Cell Differentiation, Glycoproteins, Humans, Membrane Glycoproteins, Apoptosis, Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear, Osteoprotegerin, RANK Ligand, Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B

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