Cited by 947Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and TherapiesBone Metabolism and DiseasesOsteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms

Bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis: mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment

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Schett, Georg, Gravallese, Ellen·2012·Nature Reviews Rheumatology

Abstract

Bone erosion is a central feature of rheumatoid arthritis and is associated with disease severity and poor functional outcome. Erosion of periarticular cortical bone, the typical feature observed on plain radiographs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, results from excessive local bone resorption and inadequate bone formation. The main triggers of articular bone erosion are synovitis, including the production of proinflammatory cytokines and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), as well as antibodies directed against citrullinated proteins. Indeed, both cytokines and autoantibodies stimulate the differentiation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts, thereby stimulating local bone resorption. Although current antirheumatic therapy inhibits both bone erosion and inflammation, repair of existing bone lesions, albeit physiologically feasible, occurs rarely. Lack of repair is due, at least in part, to active suppression of bone formation by proinflammatory cytokines. This Review summarizes the substantial progress that has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of bone erosions and discusses the improvements in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of such lesions.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nrrheum.2012.153

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  • TNF-α can indirectly increase RANKL expression and affect osteoclast differentiation by activating osteoblasts, B cells, and T cells.

    “TNF-α can also indirectly increase RANKL expression and affect osteoclast differentiation by activating osteoblasts, B cells, and T cells [88].”

    From Modulation of fracture healing by senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP): a narrative review of the current literature (2024) · cites this paper as [88]

    The 'Pathways for osteoclast differentiation' section (page unavailable) says TNF stimulates receptors on osteoclast precursors that facilitate differentiation, and identifies RANKL as essential to that process. It does not say TNF increases RANKL by activating osteoblasts, B cells, or T cells; the 'Proinflammatory cytokines in bone erosion' section instead identifies IL-17 as an inducer of RANKL on osteoblasts. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • RANKL-dependent pathways activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines can induce osteoclast formation and enhance osteoclast activity.

    “RANKL-dependent pathways activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines can induce osteoclast formation, therefore, enhancing osteoclast activity [87, 88].”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [105]Sato K TH17 functions as an osteoclastogenic helper T cell subset that links T cell activation and bone destruction J. Exp. Med 2006 203 2673 2682 17088434 PMC2118166

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Authors
Schett, G., & Gravallese, E.
Affiliations
  • Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (DE)
  • University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (US)
Corresponding author
Schett, Georg
Venue
Nature Reviews Rheumatology
Published
2012-09-25
Volume
8
Issue
11
Pages
656-664
ISSN
  • 1759-4790 (ISSN-L)
  • 1759-4804
OpenAlex
W2032362610
Cited by
947
References
124
Citations by year
2026: 72 · 2025: 72 · 2024: 89 · 2023: 75 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 89 · 2020: 80 · 2019: 75 · 2018: 73 · 2017: 74 · 2016: 53 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 26
FWCI
5.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Rheumatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network (American Medical Association) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation
  • Rheumatology Research Foundation
  • European Commission
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
  • Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01ar055952-05)
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01-AR055952)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bone Metabolism and Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
Keywords
bone erosion, rheumatoid arthritis, bone resorption, osteoclasts, synovitis, inflammatory cytokines, RANKL, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, bone formation, bone regeneration, radiographic erosions, antirheumatic therapy
MeSH terms
Animals, Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Bone Resorption, Cell Differentiation, Humans, Osteoclasts, Cytokines

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