Cited by 1,844Bone Metabolism and DiseasesBone health and osteoporosis researchBone and Dental Protein Studies

Functions of RANKL/RANK/OPG in bone modeling and remodeling

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Boyce, Brendan F., Xing, Lianping·2008·Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Abstract

The discovery of the RANKL/RANK/OPG system in the mid 1990s for the regulation of bone resorption has led to major advances in our understanding of how bone modeling and remodeling are regulated. It had been known for many years before this discovery that osteoblastic stromal cells regulated osteoclast formation, but it had not been anticipated that they would do this through expression of members of the TNF superfamily: receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG), or that these cytokines and signaling through receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) would have extensive functions beyond regulation of bone remodeling. RANKL/RANK signaling regulates osteoclast formation, activation and survival in normal bone modeling and remodeling and in a variety of pathologic conditions characterized by increased bone turnover. OPG protects bone from excessive resorption by binding to RANKL and preventing it from binding to RANK. Thus, the relative concentration of RANKL and OPG in bone is a major determinant of bone mass and strength. Here, we review our current understanding of the role of the RANKL/RANK/OPG system in bone modeling and remodeling.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.abb.2008.03.018

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  • OPG binds to RANKL, preventing the RANK/RANKL interaction and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.

    “On the other hand, another factor called osteoprotegerin (OPG), which is produced by a wide range of cells including osteoblasts, stromal cells, and gingival and periodontal fibroblasts [87–89], binds to RANKL, preventing the RANK/RANKL interaction and, consequently, inhibiting the osteoclastogenesis [87] (Figure 5).”
  • RANKL is routinely found as a membrane bound protein (mRANKL), but it can also be cleaved into a soluble form (sRANKL) or delivered via EVs.

    “RANKL is routinely found as a membrane bound protein (mRANKL), but it can also be cleaved into a soluble form (sRANKL)49 or delivered via EVs.35”
  • In addition to osteocytes, other cells can be sources of OPG or RANKL; these cells are osteoprogenitors, osteoblasts or cells of the immune system (B and T cells), which are all simultaneously present in a BMU.

    “In addition to osteocytes, other cells can be sources of OPG or RANKL; these cells are osteoprogenitors, osteoblasts49 or cells of the immune system (B and T cells),76 which are all simultaneously present in a BMU.”

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Authors
Boyce, B. F., & Xing, L.
Affiliations
University of Rochester Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Boyce, Brendan F.
Venue
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-05
Volume
473
Issue
2
Pages
139-146
ISSN
0003-9861 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1975953388
Cited by
1,844
References
107
Citations by year
2026: 107 · 2025: 132 · 2024: 149 · 2023: 127 · 2022: 145 · 2021: 166 · 2020: 141 · 2019: 122 · 2018: 94 · 2017: 106 · 2016: 71 · 2015: 92 · 2014: 76 · 2013: 73 · 2012: 69
FWCI
4.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R21AR049305, R01AR043510)
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 › Bone and Dental Protein Studies
Keywords
RANK/RANKL/OPG system, bone remodeling, bone modeling, osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast activation, osteoclast survival, bone resorption, TNF superfamily, receptor activator of NF-kappaB, osteoprotegerin, bone turnover
MeSH terms
Animals, Bone Resorption, Cell Differentiation, Humans, Osteoclasts, Osteogenesis, Signal Transduction, Bone Remodeling, Mice, Osteoprotegerin, RANK Ligand, Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B

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