Induction of osteoclasts from CD14-positive human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)

Abstract

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells that are derived from haemopoietic precursors, including cells present in peripheral blood. The recent identification of RANKL [receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κB ligand], a new member of the tumour necrosis factor ligand superfamily that has a key role in osteoclastogenesis, has allowed the in vitro generation of osteoclasts in the absence of cells of the stromal/osteoblast lineage. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured in vitro with soluble RANKL and human macrophage colony-stimulating factor form osteoclasts. However, PBMC are heterogeneous, consisting of subsets of monocytes and lymphocytes as well as other blood cells. As..