Current Understanding of RANK Signaling in Osteoclast Differentiation and Maturation

Authors: Jin Hee Park, Na Kyung Lee, Soo Young Lee - Molecules and Cells 2017 cited by 663

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells that are derived from hematopoietic precursor cells and require macrophage-colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand (RANKL) for their survival, proliferation, differentiation, and activation. The binding of RANKL to its receptor RANK triggers osteoclast precursors to differentiate into osteoclasts. This process depends on RANKL-RANK signaling, which is temporally regulated by various adaptor proteins and kinases.